Although a little old, students find the following article edifying. Freudian Defense Mechanisms and Empirical Findings in Modern Social Psychology: Reaction Formation, Projection, Displacement, Undoing, Isolation, Sublimation, and Denial Roy F. Baumeister, Karen Dale, and Kristin L. Sommer
Journal of Personality 66:6, December 1998, p 1081. 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. Bill Scott >>> "Shapiro, Susan J" 04/12/13 8:47 AM >>> The Intro class has hit personality theory again and the current text has a section on defense mechanisms. I am teaching the class online, and in our discussion, ask what they found most interesting in the week's reading. As usual, many point out their experience with defense mechanisms and talk about how they really use these. While I have always found the concept interesting and fun to play with, I have frequently read that there is no real evidence that these "processing biases" really exist. Anyone know if I should encourage these as based on "real science", or just point out their face validity? Suzi S. Shapiro Ph D Indiana University East 2325 Chester Blvd Richmond, IN 47374 (765) 973-8284 sjsha...@iue.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: wsc...@wooster.edu. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13058.902daf6855267276c83a639cbb25165c&n=T&l=tips&o=24969 or send a blank email to leave-24969-13058.902daf6855267276c83a639cbb251...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=24974 or send a blank email to leave-24974-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
