Defense Mechanisms Essays Example

The tension between the psyche and reality is not always easy to calm. Sometimes, the mind does not accept what actually happens, and the exterior seems to be threatening. In consequence, the mind often utilizes different defense mechanisms in order to avoid dealing face to face with truth. Four of these are cognitive dissonance, rationalization, projection and humor. Even though they all attempt to dissimulate the horrors of reality, they do it in different ways.
For example, cognitive dissonance is sustaining two contradictory beliefs at the same time, or committing an action that goes against one’s own values. This causes mental stress, but at the same time relieves it, as it allows the person to do what they really desire while keeping his or her ethics in check. An example of this is when a person smokes, while knowing that it is incredibly dangerous for their body. This illustrates cognitive dissonance, as most people are aware of the many conclusive scientific studies that investigators have done, which link smoking to a myriad of lethal diseases, including cancer. Nevertheless, there are many people that, even though they are aware of the damage they are doing to themselves, continue to smoke. Therefore, the action that they are doing contradicts the information they have with respect to their own health.
Another defense mechanism is rationalization, in which a person attempts to reason themselves into accepting an unwanted behavior or feeling in a way that seems logical. Again, this reduces the tension by providing a logical, coherent consciousness, as it integrates the previously-menacing thought or action into a logical framework. This reminds me of when people say that things always happen for the best, or other such phrases. These are rationalizations because they attempt to downplay their negligence, inaptitude or sheer lack of luck by leading themselves to believe that it will be for a greater good, which is not necessarily true.
In addition, the projection was one of the first defense mechanisms described. It consists of interpreting in others those thoughts or feelings that a person holds, yet does not find acceptable. The most remarkable experience I have had with this defense mechanism was when one of my best childhood friends believed that everybody was a homosexual, when he later revealed that it was he who had a same-sex attraction. This is an example of projection because he found his sexual orientation to be menacing, so he interpreted it in everybody else.
Finally, while these are all relatively serious and logical, one can also use humor as a way to escape dangerous thoughts or behaviors. This is done when a person expresses unpleasant or controversial ideas, feelings or actions in a way that produces pleasure or laughter. This allows for the expression of the subject matter in a socially-acceptable way, indirectly, through witticism or other circumlocutions. There are many examples of this in socially-conscious comedy shows, such as Amy Schumer’s; she often tackles important issues that women have to face in America, but through jokes and sketches. This is humor employed as a defense mechanism because it allows viewers to accept the harsh reality that she is presenting, yet laugh at it at the same time. Even though they are aware that women are frequently raped in the army, her making it a sketch both draws attention to the subject, letting it out of the bag, and allows for it to happen in a socially-acceptable manner.