13
ego-defences.
22
In order to deal with conflict and problems in life, Freud stated that the ego employs a range of defense mechanisms. Defense
mechanisms operate at an unconscious level and help ward off unpleasant feelings i.e. anxiety or make good things feel better for the individual. If the
ego is obliged to admit its weakness, it breaks out in anxiety regarding the outside world, moral anxiety regarding the superego, and neurotic anxiety
regarding the strength of the passions in the id. Freud 1933, p78.
23
Most defense mechanisms are fairly unconscious that means most of us don’t realize we’re using them in the moment. Some types of
psychotherapy can help a person become aware of what defense mechanisms they are using, how effective they are, and how to use less primitive and more
effective mechanisms in the future.
24
1. Primitive Defense Mechanisms
a.
Denial
Denial is probably one of the best known and the most primitive of the defense mechanisms, used often to describe situations
in which people seem unable to face reality or admit an obvious truth. Denial is an outright refusal to admit or recognize that something has
occurred or is currently occurring. Many people use denial in their everyday lives to avoid dealing with painful feelings or areas of their
22
Maat Jarvis, Theoretical Approaches in Psychology US by tailor Francis, inc, 2000, p. 36.
23
McLeod, S. A. 2009. Defense Mechanisms - Simply Psychology Defense Mechanisms – Simply Psychology. Retrieved from
file:H:hilya27sdefense mechanisms.htmlhttp: www.simplypsychology.orgdefense-mechanisms.html
. Accessed on 24 June 2013.
24
Ibid. McLeod, Defense Mechanism.
14
life they don’t wish to admit.
25
Another explanation acording to Lois Tyson’s book denial is believing that the problem doesn’t exist or the
unpleasant incident never happened.
26
Additionally, denial is a refusal where a human admits or realizes that something occurred. This
defense used when someone is not able to face the reality. For instance, victims of traumatic events may deny that the event ever
occurred. b.
Regression Regression is the defense when it is faced by an event which
causes depression, it will be back to previous action. Regression is the reversion to an earlier stage of development in the face of unacceptable
thoughts or impulses. For an example an adolescent who is overwhelmed with fear, anger and growing sexual impulses might
become clingy and start exhibiting earlier childhood behaviors he has long since overcome, such as bedwetting. An adult may regress when
under a great deal of stress, refusing to leave their bed and engage in normal, everyday activities. Looking up Lois Tyson’s book regression
is one of the most complex defenses, the temporary return to a former psychological state, which is not just imagined but relived.
27
25
15 Common
Defense. http:psychcentral.comlib200715-common-defense-
mechanismsall1. Accessed on 17 September 2013
26
Lois Tyson, Critical Theory Today, A User-Friendly Guide united State of America on Acid-Free Paper, 2006, second edition, p. 15
27
Ibid, p.15
