The Psychology of Adaptation To Absurdity: Tactics of Make-believe by Seymour Fisher & Rhoda L. Fisher & Rhoda Fisher

Author:Seymour Fisher & Rhoda L. Fisher & Rhoda Fisher [Fisher, Seymour]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781317781981
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2014-02-25T00:00:00+00:00

CORRELATES OF DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN THE LARGER PERSONALITY ECONOMY

We have discussed defense mechanisms in a quasidisembodied way. That is, little has been said about whether the use of specific mechanisms goes with particular personality configurations. Early psychoanalytic theorists such as Freud, Abraham (Fisher & Greenberg, 1985), and others (e.g., Shapiro, 1965) conceived of persons displaying trait-like consistency in their reliance on specific defense modes. Furthermore, they thought that certain character structures and forms of psychopathology were associated with each mode. Repressive defenses have been seen as basic to hysterical symptoms; projection tied to a paranoid orientation; intellectualization (isolation) linked to obsessive-compulsive traits and forms of psychological disturbance; and intrapunitive (turn against self) strategies contributing to depression.

Various studies provide evidence that, although there is substantial situational determination of defense modes, moderately high individual consistencies also prevail. Illustratively, Ihilevich and Gleser (1986) and Cramer (1988) reported that the Defense Mechanism Inventory is typified by test-retest coefficients in the middle to high .70s, when a 2- to 4-week period intervenes between test and retest. With respect to longer intervening periods (6 to 8 weeks), the data are more sparse, but test-retest coefficients probably fall in the low .70s or high .60s. Use of the major defense mechanisms does show some trait-like characteristics.

The greater share of the solid, cross-validated data on personality correlates of specific defense modes is based on the Ihilevich and Gleser (1986) Defense Mechanism Inventory. Most of the findings fall within four domains: perceptual style, locus of control, self-esteem, and masculinity-femininity.

Perceptual style relates to the concept of field independence-dependence as formulated by Witkin, Dyk, Faterson, Goodenough, and Karp (1962). Degree of field independence is defined by one’s ability to accurately judge spatial position where only a few realistic cues are available and conflicting cues have been introduced. Rather consistent research reports (Cramer, 1988;

Ihilevich & Gleser, 1986) indicated that persons who are more skilled in making spatial judgments (field independent) are likely to score relatively high on turning against others, projection, and, perhaps, principalization. Those who are less skilled in making spatial judgments (field dependent) score higher on turning against self and reversal.

The locus of control dimension, as spelled out earlier, refers to how much one attributes contingency to one’s own efforts (internal), as contrasted to forces “out there” that are independent of self (external). Much of the data is based on the Rotter (1966) questionnaire measure. Those high on internal locus of control tend to be high on principalization and reversal, whereas those externally oriented tend to be high on turning against others and projection (Ihilevich & Gleser, 1986).

Self-esteem has been linked with specific defense mechanisms in several studies (Ihilevich & Gleser, 1986). In general, higher self-esteem is linked with elevated principalization and reversal, whereas lower self-esteem is correlated with turning against self.14

Various indices of masculinity-femininity are significantly correlated with the defense modes. In summarizing this literature, Cramer (1988) indicated that, for both men and women, turning against self and reversal are correlated with a feminine orientation, whereas turning against others is tied to a masculine stance.

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