Sigmund Freud's Ego Defense Mechanisms

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Sigmund Freud is perhaps one of the most well-known theorists in regards to the study of the human psyche. Freud’s model of the human psyche is comprised of three core elements: the Id, or the unconscious mind; things out of our awareness. The

Superego, or the subconscious mind, and finally the Ego, which lies between the unconscious and subconscious. Freud proposes that there are nine ego defense mechanisms that act the ego uses in its job as the mediator between the id and the superego. In psychoanalysis, an ego defense mechanism is an unconscious personality reaction that the ego uses to protect our conscious mind from threatening feelings or perceptions.

The ego defense mechanisms are as follows: denial, displacement, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, regression, repression, sublimation, and suppression.

Ego defense seems to occur subconsciously – we are often not aware that we are becoming “defensive”. I believe that we use a complex of many, if not all of Freud’s ego defense mechanisms.

Personally, I believe regression and rationalization may be the two defense mechanisms I use most. Regression is defined as “returning to a previous stage of development”. For example, if things do not go my way and continue to do so, it might be followed by bouts of temper tantrums and mood swings.

Rationalization is supplying a rational or logical reason as opposed to the real reason. I have found that I use this “tactic” a lot, and was not aware of i...

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