Sigmund Freud postulated that people are driven to reduce tension, a major cause of which is anxiety. The human mind initially responds to anxiety through the cognitive process of problem-solving. Another approach used by humans in dealing with anxiety involves ego defense mechanisms. (ref: Defense Mechanisms, ChangingMinds.org)
The definition of defenses (aka defense mechanisms, defense system, or ego defenses) according to AllPsych ONLINE is as follows: Psychological forces which prevent undesirable or inappropriate impulses from entering consciousness (e.g., forgetting responsibilities that we really didn’t want to do, projecting anger onto a spouse as opposed to your boss).
CrescentLife.com has a web page entitled Ego Defense Mechanisms that states, in part:
“Although defense mechanisms serve a useful protective function, they usually involve some measure of self-deception and reality distortion, and may seriously interfere with the effective resolution of the actual problem. Ego defense-mechanisms are considered to be maladaptive when they become the predominant means of coping with stressors.
Ego-defense mechanisms are learned, usually during early childhood. They are developed to deal with inner hurt, pain, anger, anxiety, sadness and self-devaluation. They operate on relatively automatic and habitual levels.”
For some interesting reading, I suggest you click on over to read:
Defence mechanism from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Ego Defense Mechanisms, ArticlesBase.com.
Defense Mechanisms by Kendra Van Wagner, About.com Guide.
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