Human defense mechanisms that we should know about

From denial to regression, here are a few defense mechanisms that we should be aware of.

Published on: Jan 9, 2024 6:48 PM IST

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Published on Jan 9, 2024 6:48 PM

We all have our go-to defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms refer to the way we defend ourselves when we are faced with an uncomfortable situation, event or environment. "Defense mechanisms greatly interest me, as they show how we can behave when we are sometimes threatened by our own feelings or environmental influences," wrote Psychologist Alf Lokkertsen. Here are a few defense mechanisms we should we aware of. (Unsplash)

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Even when we know that it's true, we keep rejecting that belief in order to stay away from facing it. It's called being in denial.  (Unsplash)

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When we end up showing our frustration on a target that is different from the one meant for, it is called displacement.  (Unsplash)

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Directing our negative concepts and faults on other people as a way of showing frustration is called projection.  (Unsplash)

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Resorting to childish behavior in order to stop taking life seriously is a type of defense mechanism, known as regression.  (Unsplash)

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When we unconsciously push away feelings and negative emotions as a way of escaping them, it is called repression.  (Unsplash)