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 [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.

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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.

defense mechanism see defense mechanism.

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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.