defense
[de-fens´] behavior directed to protection of the individual from injury.
character defense any character trait, e.g., a mannerism, attitude, or affectation, which serves as a
defense mechanism.
insanity defense a legal concept that a person cannot be convicted of a crime if he lacked criminal responsibility by reason of insanity at the time of commission of the crime.
defense mechanism in psychology, an unconscious mental process or coping pattern that lessens the anxiety associated with a situation or internal conflict and protects the person from mental discomfort. In the theory of
psychoanalysis, the
ego, following the reality principle, conforms to the demands of the outside world, but the
id (repressed unconscious), following the pleasure principle, pursues immediate gratification of desires and reduction of psychic tension. The
superego (conscience or morality) may take either side. Defense mechanisms develop in order to control impulses or feelings that lead to inner conflicts, to reach compromises between conflicting impulses, and to reduce inner tensions. They help to manage or avoid anxiety, aggression, hostility, resentment, and frustration. Defense mechanisms are not pathological in themselves; they can be a means of dealing with unbearable situations. Among the most common defense mechanisms are
denial,
displacement,
identification,
projection,
rationalization,
reaction-formation,
repression, and
sublimation.
defense reaction a mental reaction that shuts out from consciousness ideas not acceptable to the ego. See also
defense mechanism.
mechanism
[mek´ah-nizm] 1. a machine or machinelike structure.
2. the manner of combination of parts, processes, or other aspects that carry out a common function.
3. the theory that the phenomena of life are based on the same physical and chemical laws that govern inorganic matter, as opposed to vitalism.
coping m's conscious or unconscious strategies or mechanisms that a person uses to cope with stress or anxiety including turning to a comforting person for love and support, self-discipline, acting out or working off tension, talking and expressing feelings by crying or laughing, and also unconscious
defense mechanisms, such as avoidance and rationalization.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
de·fense mech·a·nism
1. a psychological means of coping with conflict or anxiety, for example, conversion, denial, dissociation, rationalization, repression, sublimation;
2. the psychic structure underlying a coping strategy;
3. immunologic mechanism vs. nonspecific defense mechanism.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
defense mechanism
n.1. Biology A physiological reaction of an organism used in self-protection, as against infection.
2. Psychology Any of various usually unconscious mental processes, including denial, projection, rationalization, and repression, that protect the ego from shame, anxiety, conflict, loss of self-esteem, or other unacceptable feelings or thoughts.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
de·fense mech·a·nism
(dĕ-fens' mek'ă-nizm) 1. A psychological means of coping with conflict or anxiety (e.g., conversion, denial, dissociation, rationalization, repression, sublimation).
2. The psychic structure underlying a coping strategy.
3. Immunologic mechanism versus nonspecific defense mechanism.
Synonym(s):
defence mechanism.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
de·fense mech·a·nism
(dĕ-fens' mek'ă-nizm) 1. Psychological means of coping with conflict or anxiety, e.g., conversion, denial, dissociation, rationalization, repression, sublimation.
2. Immunologic mechanism vs. nonspecific defense mechanism.
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012