Describe each of Freud’s defense mechanisms discussed in the text (minimum 6). Then, for each defense mechanism, describe when you or someone you know engaged in that defense mechanism. You must use at least 2 non-class text sources (journal articles). The section before the conclusion entails discussing the theoretical relevance of defense mechanism to modern theories of psychology. In other words, which theory (theories) is/are relevant to one or more of Freud’s original defense mechanisms? Please be thorough in your analysis and use empirical evidence to illustrate the relevance. Do not forget, you need to cite the sources using APA formatting. Provide a title page and a reference page, also in APA style, at the end of your discussion.
Defense Mechanisms;
Displacement
Sublimation
Regression
Rationalization
Denial
Repression
Denial
Projection
Reaction formation
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Freud’s Defense Mechanisms and Their Relevance in Modern Psychology
Introduction:
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, proposed several defense mechanisms as strategies individuals use to cope with internal conflicts and protect themselves from anxiety. These defense mechanisms serve to distort, deny, or transform reality in order to maintain psychological equilibrium. This essay aims to describe each of Freud’s defense mechanisms, provide personal anecdotes illustrating their use, and explore their theoretical relevance in modern psychology.
Displacement:
Displacement is the defense mechanism where an individual redirects their emotions or impulses from a threatening target to a less threatening one. For example, when feeling frustrated at work, one might come home and vent anger on family members or engage in aggressive activities like punching a pillow. In my personal experience, I have witnessed a friend who, after receiving a disappointing grade on an exam, redirected her frustration by aggressively cleaning her entire house.
Sublimation:
Sublimation involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable forms. It allows individuals to express their desires or emotions through productive or creative outlets. For instance, someone with aggressive tendencies may become a successful boxer or martial artist. Personally, I have seen a family member who struggled with anger issues channel their energy into painting and creating beautiful artwork.
Regression:
Regression occurs when individuals revert to earlier stages of development to cope with stress or anxiety. This defense mechanism allows people to seek comfort in behaviors that were appropriate during childhood but are no longer socially acceptable. An example of regression could be an adult sucking their thumb during periods of high stress. In my own experience, I have observed a colleague who, when faced with a challenging project at work, resorted to tantrum-like behavior and refused to take responsibility, mirroring the behavior of a young child seeking attention and avoiding responsibility.
Rationalization:
Rationalization refers to the process of justifying one’s actions or beliefs with seemingly logical reasons, even if they are not truly valid or based on reality. This defense mechanism helps individuals avoid feelings of guilt or anxiety. For instance, someone who fails an exam might rationalize their poor performance by blaming the professor’s teaching style rather than accepting responsibility for inadequate preparation. In my personal life, I have witnessed a family member rationalize excessive spending on unnecessary items by convincing themselves that they deserve the indulgence due to their hard work.
Denial:
Denial is the refusal to accept or acknowledge painful realities or threatening information. It serves as a protective barrier against anxiety-inducing thoughts or events. For example, an individual diagnosed with a terminal illness may deny the severity of their condition and reject medical treatment. In my personal experience, I have known a friend who consistently denied the impact of their alcohol addiction despite obvious negative consequences in their personal and professional life.
Repression:
Repression entails pushing distressing thoughts, memories, or desires into the unconscious mind, preventing them from entering conscious awareness. It is considered one of the primary defense mechanisms proposed by Freud. An example of repression might be someone who experienced childhood trauma but has no conscious memory of it as an adult. Personally, I have observed a family member who avoids discussing a past relationship and appears to have no recollection of any negative experiences associated with it.
Theoretical Relevance in Modern Psychology:
Freud’s defense mechanisms continue to be relevant in modern psychology, particularly in psychodynamic theories and therapeutic approaches such as psychodynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Psychodynamic theorists highlight the role of defense mechanisms in shaping personality and understanding unconscious processes that influence behavior.
Cognitive-behavioral theorists incorporate elements of defense mechanisms into their understanding of maladaptive thinking patterns and coping strategies. For instance, cognitive restructuring techniques aim to identify and challenge irrational beliefs or distorted thinking patterns similar to rationalization or denial.
In conclusion, Freud’s defense mechanisms remain valuable tools for understanding how individuals manage anxiety and protect their self-esteem. While newer psychological theories have expanded on these concepts, the essence of defense mechanisms continues to provide insights into human behavior and psychological well-being.
References:
Freud, S. (1915). The unconscious. The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14). Hogarth Press.
Vaillant, G. E. (1992). Ego mechanisms of defense: A guide for clinicians and researchers. American Journal of Psychiatry, 149(9), 1184-1185.
Vaillant, G. E. (2000). Adaptive mental mechanisms: Their role in a positive psychology. American Psychologist, 55(1), 89-98.
Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.
Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. Guilford Press.
