Editing Defence mechanism (section)

{{Short description|Unconscious psychological mechanism}}
{{For|the biological concept|Biological defense (disambiguation){{!}}Biological defense}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2022}}
{{missing information|scientific status and criticism of validity|date=January 2020}}
{{Psychoanalysis |Concepts}}

In [[psychoanalytic theory]], '''defence mechanisms''' are [[Unconscious mind|unconscious]] psychological processes that  protect the self from anxiety-producing thoughts and feelings related to internal conflicts and external stressors.<ref>American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press</ref>

According to this theory, healthy people use different defence mechanisms throughout life. A defence mechanism can become [[Pathology|pathological]] when its persistent use leads to maladaptive behaviour such that the physical or mental health of the individual is adversely affected. Among the purposes of defence mechanisms is to protect the mind/self/ego from [[anxiety]] or to provide a refuge from a situation with which one cannot currently cope.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9029737/defence-mechanism |title=defence mechanisms -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=www.britannica.com |access-date=2008-03-11 }}</ref>

Examples of defence mechanisms include: ''[[Repression (psychoanalysis)|repression]]'', the exclusion of unacceptable desires and ideas from consciousness; ''[[Identification (psychology)|identification]]'', the incorporation of some aspects of an object into oneself;<ref>Chalquist, Craig. [http://www.terrapsych.com/freud.html "A Glossary of Freudian Terms"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228105226/http://www.terrapsych.com/freud.html |date=2018-12-28 }} 2001. Retrieved on 05 October 2013.</ref> ''[[Rationalization (psychology)|rationalization]]'', the justification of one's behaviour by using apparently logical reasons that are acceptable to the [[Ego (Freudian)|ego]], thereby further suppressing awareness of the unconscious motivations;<ref>{{cite web |title=Rationalization |url=https://dictionary.apa.org/rationalization |website=American Psychological Association}}</ref> and ''[[Sublimation (psychology)|sublimation]]'', the process of channeling [[libido]] into "socially useful" disciplines, such as artistic, cultural, and intellectual pursuits, which indirectly provide gratification for the original drives.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sublimation |url=https://dictionary.apa.org/sublimation |website=American Psychological Association}}</ref>

Some psychologists follow a system that ranks defence mechanisms into seven levels, ranging from a high-adaptive defence level to a psychotic defence level. Assessments carried out when analyzing patients such as the Defence Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS) and Vaillant's hierarchy of defense mechanisms have been used and modified for over 40 years to provide numerical data on the state of a person's defensive functioning.<ref name="Elsevier">{{Citation |last1=Perry |first1=J. Christopher |title=Studying Defense Mechanisms in Psychotherapy using the Defense Mechanism Rating Scales |date=2004 |work=Defense Mechanisms - Theoretical, Research and Clinical Perspectives |pages=165–192 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0166-4115(04)80034-7 |access-date=2024-05-02 |publisher=Elsevier |last2=Henry |first2=Melissa|series=Advances in Psychology |volume=136 |doi=10.1016/s0166-4115(04)80034-7 |isbn=978-0-444-51263-5 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>