Many people are familiar with the interesting ice structures known as "igloos." These snow and ice shelters have been part of our understanding since childhood.
Igloos can serve as a metaphor to enrich our discussion. Here’s a thought to consider: just as igloos shield individuals from the harshness of nature, might there be internal mechanisms within you that protect against anxiety, stress, and threats?
This article will focus on our defense mechanisms, which we can refer to as our inner igloos.
Psychological Defense Mechanisms The concept of "defense" is significant in psychoanalytic theory. To better understand defense mechanisms, it's helpful to recall some key elements of psychoanalysis, which serves as the foundation for this topic.
Defense Mechanisms in Psychoanalysis Psychoanalytic theory describes personality as consisting of three parts: the "id," "ego," and "superego." The "id" represents our basic instincts and desires that we want to fulfill immediately.
In contrast, the "superego" includes the moral and ethical standards of society and comprises our conscience. The "ego," which is conscious, helps balance the needs of the id and the demands of the superego.
When the desires of the id clash with social rules, it leads to conflict. In these situations, individuals develop "defense mechanisms" to find solutions.
What are Defense Mechanisms? The term "defense" was first introduced by Freud in his 1894 work "Defensive Psychoneuroses."
Defense mechanisms, also known as avoidance mechanisms, are unconscious patterns of behavior that the ego employs to shield itself from anxiety caused by inner conflicts.
Simply put, they are strategies people use to guard against anxious feelings or thoughts, acting as an internal igloo, and these mechanisms operate without our awareness.
Why Are Defense Mechanisms Used? Defense mechanisms serve several purposes:
To defend against unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and painful memories. To protect oneself from guilt, loss of self-esteem, and criticism related to unconscious desires, essentially safeguarding against anxiety. To maintain a consistent understanding of oneself and the surrounding environment.
What are Defense Mechanisms? The ideas of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis who first introduced defense mechanisms in the 19th century, have evolved over time. In the 20th century, his daughter, Anna Freud, clarified and explored these defense mechanisms in greater detail.