Defensiveness Research Articles

Freud's 1926 conjecture is confirmed: evidence from the dorsal periaqueductal gray in mice that human psychological defense against internal instinctual threat evolved from animal motor defense against external predatory threat.

In 1926, Freud famously conjectured that the human ego defense of repression against an internal instinctual threat evolved from the animal motor defense of flight from an external predatory threat. Studies over the past 50 years mainly in rodents have investigated the neurobiology of the fight-or-flight reflex to external threats, which activates the emergency alarm system in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), the malfunction of which appears likely in panic and post-traumatic stress disorders, but perhaps also in some "non-emergent" conditions like social anxiety and "hysterical" conversion disorder. Computational neuroscience studies in mice by Reis and colleagues have revealed unprecedented insights into the dPAG-related neural mechanisms underlying these evolutionarily honed emergency vertebrate defensive functions (e.g., explore, risk assessment, escape, freeze). A psychoanalytic interpretation of the Reis studies demonstrates that Freud's 1926 conjecture is confirmed, and that internal instinctual threats alone can also set off the dPAG emergency alarm system, which is regulated by 5-HT1A and CRF-1 receptors. Consistent with current psychoanalytic and neurobiologic theories of panic, several other of the primitive components of the dPAG alarm system may also have relevance for understanding of the unconscious determinants of impaired object relationships (e.g., avoidance distance). These dPAG findings reveal (1) a process of "evolution in situ," whereby a more sophisticated dPAG ego defense is seen evolving out of a more primitive dPAG motor defense, (2) a dPAG location for the phylogenetically ancient kernel of Freud's Ego and Id, and (3) a Conscious Id theory that has been conclusively invalidated.

Kecemasan Tokoh Utama Dalam Novel Canthing Karya Narko Sodrun Budiman Kajian Teori Psikologi Sastra Sigmund Freud

The aim of this research is to understand the form of anxiety of the character Kodar Santika in the novel Canthing by Narko Sodrun Budiman. Anxiety is a form of conflict that occurs within oneself. The inner conflict that causes anxiety in Kodar's character comes from an imbalance in the personality structure of the id, ego and superego. Anxiety was Freud's focus. The theory used in this research is Sigmud Freud's theory which focuses on Kodar's anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of insecurity that develops when someone is faced with a danger that threatens their life because this feeling of insecurity causes anxiety. The method used in this research is a qualitative descriptive method. The data collection techniques used in this research are library study techniques, critical reading techniques, and note-taking techniques. The method used to analyze data is descriptive analysis techniques. Based on the research results, it was found that the main character's anxiety is neurotical anxiety, including fear and confusion. Anxiety is a realistic fear of objects and situations. And the ultimate moralistic fear includes regret and feelings of guilt. The anxiety experienced by Kodar's character is influenced by the economy, temptation towards women, and lack of support from the family. The anxiety felt by Kodar's character can be ended by using ego defense mechanisms in the form of denial, distraction, sublimation, rationalization.

Manipulative and Possessive: Exposing Jacqueline de Bellefort's Character

This study analyzes the ego defense mechanisms as well as the possessiveness and manipulative behavior of the character Jacqueline de Bellefort in the novel Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie. Jacqueline is shown as a character who is obsessed with her former fiancé, Simon Doyle, and exhibits extremely possessive and manipulative behavior after she marries Linnet Ridgeway. This study uses data analysis of qualitative research with text-oriented approach. Using psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund Freud, this study explores how Jacqueline uses ego defense mechanisms such as rationalization, projection, denial, and regression to deal with jealousy and rejection. The research reveals that Jacqueline's manipulative and possessive actions are a result of her internal conflict and inability to deal with her emotional reality, which ultimately drives her to extreme measures. The analysis is designed to provide broad understanding of Jacqueline De Bellefort and how she lives in defense mechanism.

Useful or not? The discussion of traditional Chinese medicine to treat COVID-19 on a Chinese social networking site

The use of traditional medicine is a global phenomenon, and the WHO advocated its appropriate integration into modern healthcare systems. However, there is a hot debate about the legitimacy of...

Kajian Psikoanalisis Sigmund Freud Berbasis Novel Karya Tulus Setiyadi untuk Menangani Kecemasan

Anxiety is one of the most common psychological problems experienced by everyone. The novel Kasrimpet Piweling and Puspita Rinengga by Tulus Setiyadi is one of the literary works that raises the issue of anxiety for its characters. Therefore, this research will discuss the anxiety of the main character in the novels Kasrimpet Piweling and Puspita Rinengga by Tulus Setiyadi using the psychoanalytic view proposed by Sigmund Freud. This research aims to explain the anxiety experienced by the main character in both novels. The theory used in this research is Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis theory. Data collection with literature study method using library techniques, reading, recording and classification. Data analysis is done by looking at the personality structure, anxiety and ego defense mechanisms used by the characters. This type of research is literary research using descriptive method. The research data are in the form of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, narration from the narrator, characters' speech, and characters' actions related to ego defense mechanisms in Kasrimpet Piweling and Puspita Rinengga novels. The data collection techniques in this research are as follows: (1) conducting a literature study, (2) reading and understanding the novel, (3) marking the parts of the novel that indicate id, ego, and super ego (4) identifying the main characters and additional characters in the novel, (5) recording the data in the novel.

A Study on the Impact of Ego Defense Mechanisms on the Formation of Close Relationships in Young Adults

A Study on the Impact of Ego Defense Mechanisms on the Formation of Close Relationships in Young Adults

Exploring ego defense mechanisms in preclinical dentistry students: a cross-sectional analysis

Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological operations that function to protect a person from anxiety-producing thoughts and feelings that mediate the individual's reaction to emotional internal conflicts and to external stressors. Challenging academic curriculum in dentistry can result in elevated levels of stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, suicidal intent, and other mental health issues. The aim of the current investigation was therefore to examine the prevalence and type of defense styles used by dental students as well as to analyze associations of these defenses with some demographic and academic factors. The study was based on a cross-sectional design and used convenience sampling to recruit a total of 125 preclinical dentistry students. Defensive functioning was measured by using the Defense Style Questionnaire – modified form (DSQ-20). The results showed that according to their mean scores, the most employed EDM was sublimation, followed by rationalization and idealization. Two conceptual patterns of defenses (mature and immature) tend to co-occur in males as well as in general, men endorsed psychological defenses to a higher degree than did women. There were no significant associations with students’ age and year of study. Contrary to previous reports, a significant negative correlation between academic performance and mature defense styles was found. Proper implementation of defenses might contribute to reducing symptoms of maladaptive behavior, ensuring a better psychological well-being, and increasing quality of life. Considering educational environment, this might facilitate better outcomes in academic field and subsequently, better professional realization of future dentists.

A dual‐angle exploration towards understanding lapses in COVID‐19 social responsibility

AbstractBreaking infection chains requires not just behaviours that allow individuals to stay healthy and uninfected (i.e. health protective behaviours) but also for those who are possibly infected to protect others from their harboured infection risk (i.e. socially responsible behaviours). However, socially responsible behaviours entail costs without clear, immediate benefits to the individual, such that public health‐risking lapses occur from time to time. In this important yet understudied area, the current exploratory study sought to identify possible psychological factors that may affect people's likelihood of engaging in socially responsible behaviours. Assuming that self‐perceived infection should provide an impetus to engage in socially responsible behaviours, we contend that lapses could occur in two scenarios: discounting of possible infection or prioritizing self‐interest over collective good. Through a vignette portraying COVID‐19 relevant symptoms presented to culturally diverse participants (Singapore and United States; N = 645), we found dispositional denialism (an ego defence mechanism) to exert a negative indirect effect on likelihood of engaging in socially responsible behaviours through its negative association with perceived infection status. Further, social value orientation and cultural orientation appeared to significantly moderate the positive association between perceived infection status and the likelihood of engaging in socially responsible behaviours, such that the positive association held only when individuals espouse both a prosocial value orientation and a collectivistic cultural orientation. Further analyses also point toward a possible attenuation of this positive association when individuals espouse a vertical cultural orientation. Future directions and implications for public health management are discussed.

The application of synthesis 9.0 repertory in utilization of ego-defense mechanisms viz. denial, suppression, rationalization, reaction formation and its related rubrics for administration of homoeopathic medicine: A case series study

The application of synthesis 9.0 repertory in utilization of ego-defense mechanisms viz. denial, suppression, rationalization, reaction formation and its related rubrics for administration of homoeopathic medicine: A case series study

Socio-psychological content analysis of Ego-defense mechanisms in a personal myth of a student, future translator

Socio-psychological content analysis of Ego-defense mechanisms in a personal myth of a student, future translator

The Effectiveness of Metacognitive Training on Emotional Intelligence and Ego Defense Styles

The Effectiveness of Metacognitive Training on Emotional Intelligence and Ego Defense Styles

The Effect of Implicit Attitude on Self-Concept, Emotional Intelligence, Personality Characteristics and Ego Defense Styles

The Effect of Implicit Attitude on Self-Concept, Emotional Intelligence, Personality Characteristics and Ego Defense Styles

The Psychological Conflict of A Woman in Her Family as Seen in Jane Austen’s Persuasion

This research aims to describe the main character, the forms of psychological conflict get by the main character, and the main character efforts to resolve the psychological conflict in the novel Persuasion by Jane Austen. This research uses a literary psychology approach with Hippocrates character theory, Freud's personality, Freud's classification emotions, and Freud's ego defense mechanism. Method of collecting the data in this research is descriptive method. Method of analyzing the data in this research is a qualitative analysis method. Data collection technique of collecting the data in research obtained by library techniques, reading techniques, and notes-taking technique. The data analysis technique of analyzing data in this research is categorization step. The results of the research showed that the main character has a kind, patient, caring, act quickly and logistically, want to be love and love, pessimistic, and willing to sacrifice. The forms of psychological conflict that the main characters get are id, ego, superego, the concept of guilt, shame, hate, and love. The main character efforts to resolve psychological conflict get are regression, sublimation, estimation, repression, rationalization, reaction formation, and displacement.

“Perrotta Human Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire (PDM-Q-v2)”: Development, regulation and validation of a psychometric instrument for the identification of the functioning of individual Ego defense mechanisms

Introduction: To date, theorizations on the workings of psychological ego defense mechanisms are affected by the psychodynamic influence and theoretical scaffolding of the last century. There is a need to update theories and models to make them more consistent and modern with recent innovations in psychotherapy. Materials and methods: A model related to the functioning of defense mechanisms was generated and the Perrotta Human Defence Mechanisms Questionnaire (PDM-Q-v2) was created to be administered to a selected population to compare it with the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales-Self-Report-30 (DMRSSR- 30) and finally validate it. Results: Statistical analysis showed that the psychometric test has a well-defined and stable construct (r = 0.999; p ≤ 0.001), with the variables well represented (r = 0.818; p ≤ 0.001) and positively correlated with another construct already validated (r = 0.766; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The Perrotta Human Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire (PDM-Q-v2) is a valid, efficient, and effective psychometric tool to identify the functioning or dysfunction of psychological ego defense mechanisms.

On the Distortion of Time: An Unexplored Ego Defense Mechanism

On the Distortion of Time: An Unexplored Ego Defense Mechanism

The ego in psychedelic drug action - ego defenses, ego boundaries, and the therapeutic role of regression.

The ego is one of the most central psychological constructs in psychedelic research and a key factor in psychotherapy, including psychedelic-assisted forms of psychotherapy. Despite its centrality, the ego-construct remains ambiguous in the psychedelic literature. Therefore, we here review the theoretical background of the ego-construct with focus on its psychodynamic conceptualization. We discuss major functions of the ego including ego boundaries, defenses, and synthesis, and evaluate the role of the ego in psychedelic drug action. According to the psycholytic paradigm, psychedelics are capable of inducing regressed states of the ego that are less protected by the ego's usual defensive apparatus. In such states, core early life conflicts may emerge that have led to maladaptive ego patterns. We use the psychodynamic term character in this paper as a potential site of change and rearrangement; character being the chronic and habitual patterns the ego utilizes to adapt to the everyday challenges of life, including a preferred set of defenses. We argue that in order for psychedelic-assisted therapy to successfully induce lasting changes to the ego's habitual patterns, it must psycholytically permeate the characterological core of the habits. The primary working principle of psycholytic therapy therefore is not the state of transient ego regression alone, but rather the regressively favored emotional integration of those early life events that have shaped the foundation, development, and/or rigidification of a person's character - including his or her defense apparatus. Aiming for increased flexibility of habitual ego patterns, the psycholytic approach is generally compatible with other forms of psychedelic-assisted therapy, such as third wave cognitive behavioral approaches.

Psychological Constructs and Defensive Transformations: Yeats’s Mythic Poetry as a Response to Political and Cultural Dilemmas

Yeats's mythic poetry has often been approached from two distinct perspectives: either as an tribute to Ireland and its people or as a mirror reflecting the political turbulence of his times. Nonetheless, this study veers onto a distinct course, probing the psychological constituents manifested in Yeats's engagement with myths. The focal point of this investigation is Yeats's application of ego mechanisms as a method to sail around the sociopolitical obstacles he faced. The central argument posited here is the necessity to discern the recurrent psychological motifs when dissecting Yeats's mythological work. Drawing substantially on Freud's hypotheses about ego defense mechanisms, this study's objective is to shed light on how Yeats employed myths and folklore as a form of psychological defense to grapple with Ireland's contemporary political and existential uncertainties. A thorough analysis of selected mythological poems from diverse stages of Yeats's career unveils his recurrent utilization of defensive strategies embedded within Irish narratives, while concurrently endeavoring to rekindle a sense of national pride and identity amidst Ireland's unstable state. Yeats's poetic endeavors exceed mere storytelling; they constitute a conduit for psychological metamorphosis, aspiring to intertwine the ingrained tradition of legends with the intricate realities of modern Irish existence.

Filsafat Dasar dalam Konseling Psikoanalisis : Studi Literatur

The purpose of this literature study is to help individuals to be more confident by looking for the abilities that exist within them. This article reviews four main points of writing, which cover (1) Basic philosophy, (2) Human nature, (3) Personality structure, (4) Ego defense mechanism, and (5) Personal development psychoanalytic counseling. The method used for this article is a literature study. Psychoanalysis is a useful theory for the analysis of human psychology. Sigmund Shlomo Freud developed this theory due to a bad incident between him and his father. This theory has three structures, namely the id, ego, and superego, in which these three elements continuously interact and result in encouragement within oneself, giving birth to healthy and unhealthy behaviors.

Childhood Traumas, Ego Defense Mechanisms, and Happiness Level in Medical Students

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinde çocukluk çağı travmaları, savunma mekanizmaları ve mutluluk düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı tipte olan bu araştırma, bir devlet üniversitesinin tıp fakültesi öğrencileri ile 1 Şubat-15 Mart 2020 tarihleri arasında yapılmıştır. Araştırma verilerini toplamak amacıyla hazırlanan anket, sosyodemografik form, Çocukluk Çağı Travma Anketi (CTQ), Savunma Tarzı Anketi (DSQ-40) ve Oxford Mutluluk Anketi Kısa Formundan oluşmaktadır. Bulgular: Katılımcıların olgunlaşmamış savunma puanları ile toplam çocukluk çağı ruhsal travma puanları arasında zayıf, pozitif, anlamlı bir ilişki (r=0.280; p<0.001) tespit edilmiştir. Mutluluk düzeyi puanındaki değişimin %17.0'sini çocukluk çağı travmalarının alt boyutları açıklarken, modele ego savunma stilleri eklendiğinde bu açıklama oranı %32.9'a yükselmektedir. Sonuç ve Öneriler: Savunma stilleri ile çocukluk çağı travmalarının tüm alt boyutları arasında zayıf bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Bu nedenle çocuklukta yaşanan olumsuz deneyimlerin önüne geçilmesi için önlemler alınması gerekmektedir. Çocukların istismarı bildirebilmeleri için eğitilmesi gerekir. Ailelere ebeveynlik ve çocuk yetiştirme konusunda eğitim verilmesini ve istismara uğrayan çocukların sağlık sistemleri tarafından erken teşhis ve rehabilitasyonunu öneriyoruz.

Psychopathological investigation of the personality of “psychic mediums”: Clinical evidence

Background: In popular culture, the medium is a subject of seemingly controversial psychic abilities, as he or she seems to be able to communicate telepathically and physically with the various spirit entities present on the astral plane, i.e., a plane parallel to the physical one that can interact with it. In the literature, such assumptions rise to mere speculation, the result of superstition and personal beliefs, using the abilities of mental manipulation; however, some research has challenged these beliefs. Objectives: To demonstrate whether the personality profile of the psychic mediums analyzed exhibits pathological personality traits and whether such is sufficient to confirm a clinical diagnosis. Materials and methods: Clinical interview, based on narrative-anamnestic and documentary evidence, and battery of psychometric tests. Results: The totality of the clinical group (CG) is found to be pathological, with at least 5 dysfunctional traits, and a corollary of secondary traits reinforcing the primary condition; the pathological differential from the control group (Cg) is +70.7%. At the individual sexual matrix questionnaires, just over 1/4 of the CG show a dysfunctional tendency to sexual behavior with a differential from the Cg of +42.8%. Slightly more than one-fifth of the CG also exhibit affective dependence, with a pathological differential with the Cg of +17%, while the CG sample concerning ego defense mechanisms exhibits the pathological totality of the sample, with a differential for the Cg of +45.7%. Conclusion: This research confirms the psychopathological nature of the personality profiles of mediums, with a higher prevalence of delusional, dissociative, and narcissistic disorders of the overt type, although these results do not prove the fraudulent nature of the mediumistic activity boasted by the subjects, and therefore what has been obtained should be read more generally, subjecting psychic mediums (in mediumistic activity) to technical instrumentation (electroencephalogram, functional magnetic resonance imaging and signal potential and audio-video) in the future to verify the outcomes.