Freudian Defense Mechanisms and Empirical Findings in Modern Social Psychology: Reaction Formation, Projection, Displacement, Undoing, Isolation, Sublimation, and Denial

Abstract

Recent studies in social psychology are reviewed for evidence relevant to seven Freudian defense mechanisms. This work emphasizes normal populations, moderate rather than extreme forms of defense, and protection of self-esteem against threat. Reaction formation, isolation, and denial have been amply shown in studies, and they do seem to serve defensive functions. Undoing, in the sense of counterfactual thinking, is also well documented but does not serve to defend against the threat. Projection is evident, but the projection itself may be a by-product of defense rather than part of the defensive response itself. Displacement is not well supported in any meaningful sense, although emotions and physical arousal states do carry over from one situation to the next. No evidence of sublimation was found.

Self-enhancement and self-protection: What they are and what they do

“…Reaction formation, for example, presumably enables people with moral shortcomings to view themselves as paragons of morality (Baumeister, Dale, & Sommer, 1998). Similarly, projection can create an illusion of superiority by transferring a person's own negative qualities onto others (Schimel, Greenberg, & Martens, 2003).…”

The influence of audiovisual sports advertising in sedentary individuals

“…These findings suggest that respondents who do not engage in physical activity are more brutal in their perception of others, perceiving others negatively, almost as if projecting their own problems unto others, "as having traits that one inaccurately believes oneself not to have" (Baumeister, Dale, & Sommer, 1998 Confidence seemed to play an important role in participants' self-perception. Actually, the Online…”

“…This phenomenon is related to the term psychological projection, which explains that people tend to project their own problems unto other people (Freud, 1961a, as cited in Baumeister et al, 1998). Additionally, one participant showed concern with training with people that know her, stating that she would prefer and feel more comfortable being around strangers.…”

The Cognitive Distortions and Implicit Theories of Child Sexual Abusers

“…Finally, reaction formation refers to the process of exchanging a negative feeling for a positive one by taking an opposing view. It has been noted that Freud's hypotheses of defence mechanisms are surprisingly well supported by both theoretical and empirical literature (see Baumeister, Dale & Sommer, 1998).…”

“…Sometimes these mechanisms are referred to as "ego defences", refl ecting the idea that their purpose is to protect the ego from some perceived psychological threat. Freud focused, in particular, on the tendency for the ego to suppress aggressive and sexual impulses that would pose a threat to the individual's integrity (Baumeister, Dale & Sommer, 1998). The three defences that are most relevant here are "denial," "rationalisation" and "reaction formation."…”