Defense Mechanisms Essay, Research Paper

Defense Mechanisms

Sometimes in dealing with anxiety and conflict, a level of the brain

also deals with memories. This level is called the unconscious level. Behavior

that involves self-deception is a mental defense called defense mechanisms.

Some of these defences can be valuable devices. When someone replaces a

seemingly impossible goal with a possible one, compensation has beenn used.

Redirecting aggresion from hostility to a drive to be sucessful is helpful.

This defence is sublimation. While fantasy is a form of escape, it is also a

way to work out imaginary solutions to conflicts.

Some of these defences can be harmful to you as well as others. When a

person lashes out at another person for no reason, it may be the results of

something that happeneded earlier that day. The person who was lashed out at is

the victim of displaced agression. When these defence mechanisms are taken to

extremes and used over a long period of time these defences can be harmful.