Discuss the Role of Defence Mechanisms in Freud’s Model of the Mind.
Discuss the role of Defence Mechanisms in Freud’s model of the mind.
One of the pioneering Freudian assumption which is ‘psychic determinism’ sates that there is always explanation for particular behaviour and the motive of this behaviour can be found in the mind. In continue to this statement Sigmund Freud in his further work, evaluated almost entire variety of human behaviour and the role of the mind as its central coordinator. Following this he proposed a novel framework of the mind with its own control self-system commonly called defence mechanism. In Freud’s view these mechanisms operate within mental processes and are developed by individual against internal or external events which may affect itself autonomy or security. These, later in Freudian work named ego’s attempts, were further described and outlined by Freud’s daughter Anna and her proposed list of defence mechanism is as follows: repression, regression, reaction-formation, isolation, undoing, projection, introjection, turning against the self, reversal into opposite and sublimation (A. Freud 1938)
Given the above, the purpose of this work is to assess the role of defence mechanisms in Freud’s model of the mind. Above all, Freud’s understanding of the mind ultimately rests on the assumptions he made regarding the unconscious mind and the degree to which repression acts as a central defence mechanism. As such, this essay will begin by outlining the two accepted Freudian models of the mind; topographical and structural. Following this, critical assessment will be offered in relation to the Freudian repression and its influence on mental processes, along with the practical implications of this outlook.
The topographical model of Freud’s model of the mind centres on three distinct, yet sometimes interdependent mental processes. Freud described these three states of mind as being; conscious; preconscious and unconscious (Sandler et al. 1997). The conscious mind is responsible for the mental
One of the pioneering Freudian assumption which is ‘psychic determinism’ sates that there is always explanation for particular behaviour and the motive of this behaviour can be found in the mind. In continue to this statement Sigmund Freud in his further work, evaluated almost entire variety of human behaviour and the role of the mind as its central coordinator. Following this he proposed a novel framework of the mind with its own control self-system commonly called defence mechanism. In Freud’s view these mechanisms operate within mental processes and are developed by individual against internal or external events which may affect itself autonomy or security. These, later in Freudian work named ego’s attempts, were further described and outlined by Freud’s daughter Anna and her proposed list of defence mechanism is as follows: repression, regression, reaction-formation, isolation, undoing, projection, introjection, turning against the self, reversal into opposite and sublimation (A. Freud 1938)
Given the above, the purpose of this work is to assess the role of defence mechanisms in Freud’s model of the mind. Above all, Freud’s understanding of the mind ultimately rests on the assumptions he made regarding the unconscious mind and the degree to which repression acts as a central defence mechanism. As such, this essay will begin by outlining the two accepted Freudian models of the mind; topographical and structural. Following this, critical assessment will be offered in relation to the Freudian repression and its influence on mental processes, along with the practical implications of this outlook.
The topographical model of Freud’s model of the mind centres on three distinct, yet sometimes interdependent mental processes. Freud described these three states of mind as being; conscious; preconscious and unconscious (Sandler et al. 1997). The conscious mind is responsible for the mental
Bibliography: Freud A. 1938, The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence, Int. J. Psycho-Anal , Hogarth Press 19:115-146. Freud S. 1920, ‘Beyond the Pleasure Principle’, The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XVIII ,1-64 Freud S. 1905, ‘Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality’, The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume VII, 123-246 Freud S. 1923, ‘The Ego and the Id’,The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, Volume XIX, 1-66 Freud S. 1940, ‘An outline of psycho-analysis’, Int. J. Psycho-Anal, 21: 27-84 Hentschel U. 2004, Defence Mechanisms: theoretical, research and clinical perspectives. London: Elsevier. Sandler J; Holder A; Dare C & Dreher AH . 1997, Freud 's Models of the Mind: An Introduction. London: Karnac Books