Positive Mindset for Self-Defense: Learn to Overcome Conflict - Research Paper

Introduction

According to the self-affirmation theory, the psychology of self-defense is a concept that explains how the human system desires to improve and protect their image against external jeopardy. Effective self-defense starts with the ability to develop a positive mindset and learn how to overcome conflict situations and defend oneself and the surrounding (Jacoby, 2016). The concept of the psychology of self-defense is essential in addressing the emotional, mental, and behavioral benefits of humanity, with the ultimate goal of protecting the image of self-integrity, moral, and adaptive adequacy. In that context, people will respond in some way to defend and restore their self-worth when external factors threaten their vision. In that context, this paper addresses different mechanisms of psychological self-defense, and how they help humans to reduce self-threats, both at individual and collective levels. It also highlights how these defense mechanisms help people to survive and live a more confident life in today's real-life situations.

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Types of Self-Defense Mechanisms

The defense mechanism in psychoanalysis is an unconscious reaction that is used in the protection of the conscious mind from the threatening perceptions. In trying to explain the concept of self-mechanisms, there are different types of defense mechanisms that are applied to ensure that the body is fully protected from any threatening feeling. The first mechanism is denial, which refers to the ability of an individual to refuse to accept facts and reality as they happen. Denial gives a unique capacity for people to block or brush away external circumstances from their minds so that they do not trigger negative emotional impacts (Grohol, 2016). In simple terms, it is essential when one wants to avoid negative or painful feelings or events from affecting their systems.

Repression is another mechanism that is used in self-defense mechanisms. It is a general belief that irrational memories, painful memories, and unsavory thoughts can upset someone. Repression refers to that unique ability to try to hide those unwarranted thoughts and feelings and hoping to forget about them (Grohol, 2016). People struggle to hide their feelings, but that does not mean they will entirely go away. However, repression offers unique skills of managing those negative feelings to a given level, and the mechanisms do not make the problem or the pains that one is undergoing to disappear. The mechanism, nevertheless, helps in prevent showing your conditions to other people.

In most cases, not everyone that knows your problem is ready to assist; thus, repression help to hide the feelings. Projection, on the other hand, is one of the most effective self-defense mechanisms that help people to divert the burden of hate and negative emotions to their opponents (Grohol, 2016). For example, if you do not like your colleague or friend, the best way to let the feelings go is to choose to tell them that they do not want you. In that way, you shall have misattributed the dislike to the other person for you to be free. Projection helps one to disposes of the feelings that they feel do not favor them.

Another method is displacement in which frustrations and strong emotions toward an object or a person will make someone feel better and less threatening. Displacement allows one to satisfy an impulse to respond or react without risking the consequences (Hollander, 2016). For example, if you have job-related stress and you get angry from a bad day at work, directing your anger to your spouse or child will be better to release the frustrations. That is because trying to address the aggravation to your boss may have more dire consequences of losing your job. Therefore, displacement plays an integral self-defense role in retaining relationships with people who matter.

Regression is a self-defense mechanism that allows people to retract and escape from frustrating and anxious situations by reverting to earlier development. Studies have revealed that regression is mostly applicable in young children as they suddenly ac as if they are younger again every time they experience loss or trauma. Sucking of thumb or wetting the bed are some of the most attractive characteristics that kids apply to accomplish the regression method of self-defense (Grohil, 2016). Adults also regress from traumatizing situations by going to sleep, eating their most loved foods, chewing pencils, or smoking, among others. This will help them to cope with difficult and disturbing situations.

There is also a rationalization method, which is the act of someone trying to explain undesirable behaviors using their facts. When most people face frustrating feelings or events, they tend to find comfort in confirming their bias by justifying the choices they have made, even if the alternative might be wrong. This self-defense mechanism helps people to find solace and happiness as they try to avoid conflict situations with people opposed to their decisions. This is a reasoning mechanism that is used by many people to deal with stressful issues.

In some cases, people may decide to avert to some activities that make them forget bad feelings. The aversion of corrupt affections is termed as a sublimation self-defense strategy. It applies when people choose to redirect their strong feelings or emotions to other activities or objects that make them happy and safe (Jacoby, 2016). This mechanism is also known as a "positive strategy" since people choose to avoid conflict situations by resorting to things that make them happy. For example, an angry employer may choose not to lash out at the employees, but instead, decide to go to a gym to have some workouts, listen to music, or watch sporting activities.

Lastly, is the reaction formation is a unique self-defense mechanism that uses iron to apply parallel behavior from feelings. Such people may be conscious about their thinking or feelings, but deliberately choose to behave the opposite way of their instincts. For example, when you get angry against people you respect, you may decide to put a smile on your face to manage the situation. That will help one to avoid an imminent conflict situation that would have arisen from a confrontation.

How Self-Defense Mechanisms Help People to Survive in Real-Life Situations

It is imperative to note that failing to apply the positive self-defense mechanisms may lead to more severe and life-threatening psychological disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression, among others. It may also lead to physical confrontations, violence, physiological harm, and even death. Therefore, all the self-defense mechanisms are geared towards avoiding conflict situations, which may as well threaten one's peace, happiness, or status (Jacoby, 2016). Therefore, it is significant for everyone to develop these traits and abilities to enable them to operate under unconscious situations by warding off unpleasant feelings. In that light, people will be able to live a more confident, safe, and happier life that is devoid of illnesses and the risk of violence.

References

Grohol, J. M. (2016). 15 Common Defense Mechanisms. Psych Central. http://megaplan.co.za/15%20Common%20Defense%20Mechanisms%207%20mins%20read.pdf

Hollander, J. A. (2018). Empowerment self-defense. In Sexual Assault Risk Reduction and Resistance (pp. 221-244). Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128053898000116

Jacoby, M. (2016). Individuation and narcissism: The psychology of self in Jung and Kohut. Routledge. https://content.taylorfrancis.com/books/download?dac=C2015-0-66114-6&isbn=9781317288619&format=googlePreviewPdf