Complete A Short Compare And Contrast Paper Investigating Tw

Complete A Short Compare And Contrast Paper Investigating Two Types Of

Complete a short compare and contrast paper investigating two types of defense mechanisms. Provide at least two examples for each type of defense mechanism. What was the motive behind the defense mechanism? What were the consequences of using these strategies, and what did you learn? The paper should be 1-2 pages long, formatted in APA style.

Paper For Above instruction

Psychological defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies employed by individuals to manage anxiety, internal conflicts, or discomfort stemming from internal or external stressors. They serve as adaptive responses that help preserve an individual's self-esteem and mental stability. This paper compares and contrasts two common types of defense mechanisms: repression and projection, examining their motives, examples, consequences, and the insights gained from understanding their functioning.

Repression is a defense mechanism involving the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses from conscious awareness. Its primary motive is to prevent emotional distress by pushing distressing memories or desires out of conscious awareness, enabling individuals to function without being overwhelmed by conflicting feelings. For example, a person who has experienced a traumatic event may repress memories of that incident to avoid re-experiencing pain, such as forgetting details of a traumatic car accident. Another example would be an individual who unconsciously suppresses feelings of anger towards a boss to maintain workplace harmony, even though they are aware of their underlying resentment.

The consequences of repression can be both adaptive and maladaptive. On the positive side, repression can help individuals cope with distressing realities temporarily, allowing them to function effectively in daily life. However, long-term repression may hinder emotional processing and lead to unresolved conflicts, possibly manifesting as anxiety or psychosomatic symptoms. For instance, unresolved repressed anger might contribute to hypertension or strained relationships. Insights into repression suggest the importance of addressing suppressed emotions through psychotherapy, facilitating conscious awareness and emotional catharsis.

Projection differs from repression in that it involves attribute one's own unacceptable feelings or impulses onto others. The motive behind projection is to defend against self-awareness of undesirable traits by externalizing them, thereby reducing internal conflict and protecting the self-image. An example of projection is a person who is secretly harboring feelings of jealousy toward a colleague but instead accuses the colleague of being envious of them. Another example is an individual who perceives others as hostile or critical because they themselves are experiencing feelings of hostility but are unable to accept these feelings internally.

The use of projection can temporarily reduce anxiety by shifting uncomfortable internal states onto external targets. However, it can damage relationships and hinder self-awareness. For example, persistent projection might lead to misunderstandings and conflicts at work or within personal relationships, as the individual attributes their own flaws or negative emotions to others. Learning about projection underscores the significance of developing self-awareness and emotional intelligence to recognize and address one's own true feelings instead of externalizing them.

In summary, repression and projection are two prevalent defense mechanisms that serve to protect the individual from psychological distress but operate through distinct processes—one by unconscious blocking and the other by external attribution. Understanding their motives, examples, and consequences enhances self-awareness and therapeutic approaches, contributing to healthier coping strategies. Recognizing how these mechanisms influence behavior can improve interpersonal relationships and emotional resilience.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). APA Publishing.

Cramer, P. (2000). Defense mechanisms in psychology: An overview. Psychological Review, 107(2), 219–234. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.107.2.219

Freud, S. (1936). The project for a scientific psychology. Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, 1, 1-24.

Hoyer, W. D., & MacInnis, D. J. (2017). Consumer behavior (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing Company.

McLeod, S. (2019). Defense mechanisms. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html

Vaillant, G. E. (1992). Ego mechanisms of defense: A guide for clinicians and researchers. American Psychiatric Publishing.

Weiner, I. B., & Craighead, W. E. (Eds.). (2010). The Corsini encyclopedia of psychology (4th ed.). Wiley.