Defense Mechanism

Defense mechanisms or manners in which we behave or think in certain ways to better protect or “defend” ourselves. Defense mechanisms are one way of looking at how people distance themselves from a full awareness of unpleasant thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Defense mechanisms (or coping styles) are automatic psychological processes that protect the individual against anxiety and from the awareness of internal or external dangers or stressors. Individuals are often unaware of these processes as they operate. Defense mechanisms mediate the individual's reaction to emotional conflicts and to internal and external stressors. The individual defense mechanisms are divided conceptually and empirically into related groups that are referred to as Defense Levels.

Defense Levels and Individual Defense Mechanisms

High Adaptive Level. This level of defensive functioning results in optimal adaptation in the handling of stressors. These defenses usually maximize gratification and allow the conscious awareness of feelings, ideas, and their consequences. They also promote an optimum balance among conflicting motives.
Examples of defenses at this level are:
1. Anticipation The individual deals with emotional conflict or internal or external stressors by experiencing emotional reactions in advance of, or anticipating consequences of, possible future events and considering realistic, alternative responses or solutions.
2. Affiliation The individual deals with emotional conflict or internal or external stressors by turning to others for help or support. This involves sharing problems with others but does not imply trying to make someone else responsible for them.
3. Altruism Altruism is the handling your own pain by helping others. For an instance, after your wife dies, you keep yourself busy by volunteering at your church.
4. Humor Humor focuses on funny aspects of a painful situation. Example, a person's treatment for cancer makes him lose his hair so he makes