Running head: USES OF DEFENSE MECHANISMS

Defenses Assignment #2 1

Using Psychoanalytic Theory to Describe the Uses of Defense Mechanisms

Defense! Sublimate, Offense?

Tanya Weller

Student ID: 185301861

Psychology 230 Dr. Michelle McCarron

Unit 3 Short Assignment

September 28, 2013

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Defenses Assignment #2 2

Using Psychoanalytic Theory to Describe the Uses of Defense Mechanisms

Defense! Sublimate, Offense?

What are defense mechanisms and why do we rely on them? Further to

describing sublimation; a brief description of an event, how the use of sublimation

affects the outcome, and what may have happened if the person had not chosen

sublimation as a defense mechanism will be expanded upon. Additionally, a

discussion of what may have lead someone to use sublimation instead of a socially

unacceptable solution to the situation will follow.

Anna Freud expanded upon her fathers, Sigmund Freuds, revelations on defense

mechanisms. She identified and expanded upon the following defense mechanisms: repression,

denial, projection, rationalization, intellectualization, reaction formation, regression,

identification with the aggressor, displacement, and sublimation. Anxiety acts as a catalyst for

the energy displaced from the id to ego in a roundabout manner. All defense mechanisms, except

repression, release energy and result in catharsis. Repression was the first defense mechanism

recognized by Freud, it builds up energy and creates cathexis.

Repression is suppressed thoughts, memories, and intents that are too painful for a person

to tolerate. This is a form of survival to function in the present moment. Partial repression is

when one does remember a traumatic event (e.g. sexual abuse as a young child), but refuses to

talk about the event(s). Suppressed memories can be revealed through dreams and flashbacks.

However, they can be called into question by the accused. Friedman and Schustack (2012 p. 76).

When confronted or caught doing wrong, why is the first reaction denial (i.e. the refusal to admit

to wrongdoing or to recognize the reality of the moment)? Do we hope that whatever one is

accused of will not be proven? When a loss is already imminent, is it instinctual to deny the

actuality?
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Projection is evident when an individual sees a fault in others that one fails to see in

themselves. Is this a form of denial? When one makes up excuses for unacceptable behavior,

they are rationalizing. One might do this because they feel the need to blame something other

than themselves. It might not be a good idea to intellectualize a eulogy for a young child that has

died from cancer. Heartfelt and sympathetic words in the previous situation, may have been

appropriate for the circumstance. Reaction formation is based on the perceived beliefs an

individual conveys externally through their actions and speech that is in conflict with their

private actions and what they actually internally believe. Individuals in the public eye that are

fearful of being exposed proclaim their distaste for the very issues they are struggling with or do

not believe themselves.

If a young child beyond the toilet training years is molested they may revert to soiling

their underwear. This child has experienced regression. The case of Elizabeth Smarts abduction

in 2002 is an example of identification with an aggressor, McLeod (2009). Elizabeth identified

with her captors by saying to a policeman, that she was Augustine Marshall, the daughter of

traveling preachers. She said that was the story Mitchell directed her to tell if ever anyone

approached her msnbc.com staff and the Associated Press (2010, November 9). Displacement

is an act of misplaced frustration; it is usually directed at a target that will not strike back. An

example of this is an employee of a restaurant that got angry at the end of his shift. He went to a

nearby MacDonalds and proceeded to kill flies to release his frustration. Yes, this really did

happen.

The art of sublimation, not just confined to advertising, is the opposite response to

displacement. Sublimation is to divert the expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from

its unacceptable form to one that is considered more socially and culturally acceptable.
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Sublimate (2013). For example, a person who would secretly want to murder decides to join the

armed forces so that their bloodlust can be satisfied in the guise of a patriotic gesture.

Alternatively, if such enlistment was not to occur, one might murder a family member, neighbor,

or stranger and, potentially end up with a prison sentence or a policemans bullet inflicting a fatal

wound. Robert Picton was tried and convicted for murdering numerous prostitutes in British

Columbia. Picton had, wanted to join the army but his mother said no. The Pig Farm: Robert

Picton Serial Killer Documentary (35 minutes). Robert Picton , bragged about working for 6

years as a meat cutter, and goes on to say, that if I had stayed with it for 6 more months...I

could work at any butcher shop, any plant or anywheres. The Pig Farm: Robert Picton Serial

Killer Documentary (28 minutes). It was unfortunate that Robert never pursued this as his

occupation. Could this man have killed all those women only because he had a love of

butchering? Perhaps, there exists an unhealthy expression of anger towards ones mother for

refusing to permit enlistment to join the army?

Truly, there exists a wealth of information on the various and diverse defense

mechanisms, and why people rely on them. Sublimation was a most interesting and dynamic

defense mechanism, by seeming to have the most positive outcome for those persons willing to

act on this defense mechanism instead of working to enable themselves to overcome their anger,

frustration, etc.
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References

Friedman, H.S. and Schustack, M.W. (2012). Personality: Classic Theories and Modern
Research. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

McLeod, S. A. (2009). Defense Mechanisms. SimplyPsychology. Retrieved from

http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html

msnbc.com staff and the Associated Press. (2010, November 9). Elizabeth Smart Tells of

Abductors Rapes, Threats. NBC News. Retrieved from

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/40093438/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/elizabeth-smart-

tells-abductors-rapes-threats/#.Uj-OAz9LOMQ

The Pig Farm: Robert Picton Serial Killer Documentary. (2013, February 26). Retrieved from

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyr1stchTZI

sublimate (2013). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/sublimate?show=0&t=1380414950