defense mechanism

mechanism /mech·a·nism/ (mek´ah-nizm)

1. a machine or machine-like structure.

2. the manner of combination of parts, processes, etc., which subserve a common function.

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defense mechanism  a usually unconscious mental mechanism by which psychic tension is diminished, e.g., repression, rationalization, etc.

escape mechanism  in the heart, the mechanism of impulse initiation by lower centers in response to lack of impulse propagation by the sinoatrial node.

mental mechanism 

1. the organization of mental operations.

2. an unconscious and indirect manner of gratifying a repressed desire.

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defense mechanism

n.

1. Any of a variety of usually unconscious mental processes used to protect oneself from shame, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, conflict, or other unacceptable feelings or thoughts, and including behaviors such as repression, projection, denial, and rationalization.

2. See immunological mechanism.

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defense mechanism

Etymology: L, defendere, to repulse, mechanicus, machine

an unconscious intrapsychic reaction that offers protection to the self from stress or a threat. Defense mechanisms are of two types: those that diminish anxiety and are used by an individual to integrate more fully into society and those that do not reduce anxiety but simply postpone the effects of feeling it. Anxiety-reducing defenses include compensation, identification, introjection, some forms of repression, and sublimation. Defenses that postpone full expression of anxiety include denial, displacement, isolation, projection, reaction formation, rationalization, regression, some forms of repression, suppression, and undoing.

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defense,

n the reasons, in law or fact, offered by the defendant in a legal proceeding as to why the plaintiff should not prevail.

defense cell,

n See cell, defense.

defense mechanism,

n an unconscious, intrapsychic reaction that offers protection to the self from threatening or stressful situations. Defense mechanisms may be useful to diminish anxiety and facilitate coping behaviors, or may be harmful because of denying, displacing, isolating, or repressing anxiety and preventing useful coping responses.

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defense mechanism

Psychology An unconscious intrapsychic process by which a person obtains relief from emotional confllict and anxiety Examples Compensation, conversion, denial, displacement, dissociation, idealization, identification, incorporation, introjection, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, regression, sublimation, substitution, symbolization, undoing. See Defense mechanism.