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Negativism, Sublimation, Displacement & Regression
Regression defense mechanism
Sometimes people don’t handle life’s challenges, anxiety, and pressure in a mature manner. In order to avoid the discomfort of a quarrel or stress, they resort to an immature or childlike level of functioning. Regression is the behavior pattern in question. It always denotes a behavior pattern that is less responsible than what is anticipated of the person.
It is true that occasionally using the mechanism may not have a negative impact on a person’s personality, but continuously escaping from issues by dwelling on the past or turning to juvenile ways of thinking and acting poses a severe risk to personality development. Such a person could continue to be very dependent, uncertain, and fearful of change.
Negativism defense mechanism
When under stress, some people exhibit bad behavior. This indicates that they are refusing to tackle the issue or challenge in front of them. Instead, they became conflicted, obstinate, and disobedient. They behave uncooperatively and go against instructions.
Children who experience unjust or discriminatory treatment, discouragement, or, on the other side, excessive pampering are more prone to exhibit uncooperative and pessimistic behaviour. Their negativity manifests itself via disobedience and volatile behavior.
Sublimation defense mechanism
Our socially acceptable interests or activities are switched to more desirable ones through a system of substitution. For instance, a businessman who is upset about some recent events may focus his ire on gaming, gardening, or any other hard labor.
As a result, he transforms his unfavorable feelings into behavior that is more attractive. It should be highlighted, however, that sublimation is only made feasible by proper education and training, as well as by the environment’s availability of the necessary potential and sublimation-friendly facilities.
Displacement defense mechanism
Whenever a consumer exhibits displacement, they are switching or moving the primary focus of an impulse to a different target that is similar.
When the answer to the first aim is deemed unachievable or unsatisfactory, a more suitable target is chosen, leading to the displacement. While directed towards the substitute target, the displaced impulse may be less strong than it was when directed at the primary target. Displacement, according to Freud, is a typical dreaming technique.