Defensive Processes

Abstract

Defensive processes may be defined as an underlying series of mental operations, occurring primarily outside of a person’s awareness, that result in either (1) an experience being recorded in memory in such a way that it is remembered as being more pleasant or less threatening than it actually was, or (2) threatening experiences becoming inaccessible to future conscious recall. Defensive processes were initially conceptualized by Freud as basic unconscious mechanisms serving to shield the conscious mind from painful truths. Today, research on defensive processes focuses more on the social and cognitive processes that are associated with defensiveness, as well as on whether particular individuals are more likely to engage in defensive behaviors. The first section of this article, Defense Mechanisms, describes the initial Freudian origins of the concept of defensiveness, introduces some general reviews of the literature, discusses the scientific basis for defense mechanisms, and reviews critiques and controversies that have surrounded these concepts. The next section, Information Processing, describes research on perceptual defense, which has examined what cognitive processes play a role in the speed and accuracy with which emotional information is processed. The section Defensiveness in Relation to Anxiety, Social Desirability, and Terror Management describes extant research on individual differences in anxiety and social desirability, and highlights the defensive processes underlying terror management. These programs of research emphasize both universal tenets of defensiveness and defensiveness as as something that varies between people. Those individual differences are then used to predict differences in the way persons behave. The article concludes with a summary of research on Defensive Repressors, individuals who demonstrate high levels of defensiveness and low levels of anxiety; Vigilance-Avoidance Theory, a framework for understanding how these individuals process information; and Terror Management Theory, a theory positing that defensive processing stems from an awareness and fear of death and dying.

Sublimation, culture, and creativity.

“…Moreover, as Baumeister, Dale, and Sommer (1998) have pointed out—unlike phenomena such as rationalization (Festinger & Carlsmith, 1959), projection (Cohen & Gunz, 2002; Newman, Duff, & Baumeister, 1997), compensation (Jordan, Spencer, Zanna, Hoshino-Browne, & Correll, 2003), reaction formation (Adams, Wright, & Lohr, 1996; Weinstein et al, 2012), and repression (Anderson & Green, 2001; Caldwell & Newman, 2005; Newman, Caldwell, Chamberlin, & Griffin, 2005; Newman & McKinney, 2002; Weinberger, 1990; cf. Holmes, 1990; see also Winer & Newman, 2012)—there has not yet been any “even moderately convincing” experimental demonstration that sublimation occurs (p. 1104). This “provides a sobering contrast with some other defense mechanisms” (for which there is evidence), and it represents “an inviting opportunity for some researcher to provide positive evidence of sublimation” (Baumeister et al, 1998, pp.…”

Making an MPCT: Building and Sustaining a Multicultural Psychology Consultation Team (MPCT) Within an Academic Medical Center

“…Moreover, MPCT acknowledges the complex and demanding nature of doing this work while remaining true to the values of cultural humility. The inaugural members drafted an MPCT agreement document 11 modeled on Behavioral Tech dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) agreements 12,13 and aligned with broader systemic DEI statements and values, including the Harvard Medical School Diversity Statement 14…”

“…MPCT meetings are 50 minutes and follow a consistent structure: (1) reading an MPCT agreement (see 11 for copy of current MPCT agreements) and a two-minute, unguided contemplative mindfulness practice, (2) conducting a roundtable check-in and setting an agenda, and (3) engaging in group discussion of agenda items. We will discuss each of these parts in turn.…”

“…As described above, MPCT developed a list of agreements and values 11 . Each week a volunteer selects one of the agreements and reads it out loud.…”

“…Next, the group offers several strategies for promoting programmatic buy-in and preparedness for the new group protocol. Steps include securing explicit and unequivocal support from program leadership, assigning prerequisite readings and resources to all program staff, including the Behavior Therapist article, “Development and implementation of a single-session diversity and multicultural psychology group intervention within an academic psychiatric hospital” 9 and the CBT- and DBT-style Strategies for Responding to Stigma and Bias worksheets, 11 and facilitating all-staff in-service sessions followed by monthly staff check-ins to discuss progress and review patient satisfaction data once the group launches. Finally, all facilitators—staff and trainees—of the ADDRESSING group are invited to join MPCT for ongoing support and supervision.…”