Organization of work with case study
I chose case study as a qualitative method that can be applied to analyze characters of movie “Running with scissors”. The purpose of this case study - defining different mechanisms of psychological defense used by various characters in the film and better understanding of Freud`s theory of psychological defense`s mechanism. Students will need to answer following questions for this work:
1) What mechanism of psychological defense did you notice in the behavior of characters of “Running with Scissors.”?
2) How do you think what are purposes of using defense mechanisms by different character?
Brief summarizing of mechanisms of defense`s characteristics
The central mechanisms of psychological defense include projection, rationalization, regression, reactive formation, denial, repression, displacement, and sublimation.
When an individual uses projection, he/she sees in other people own unconscious characteristics, emotions, thoughts. Projection is often compared to the looking in the mirror because the one who uses projection see in others own “reflection.”
Rationalization involves justification and rational explanation of irrational thoughts, behavior, etc. Sublimation is considered to be the constructive way of psychological defense. When sublimating, individuals direct their unconscious energy to socially acceptable activities. For example, sublimation can direct sexual impulses or Thanatos` desires to some professional achievements, etc.
Regression can be recognized in childish behavior when a person uses that forms of self-expression which were common for one in earlier stages of the development. Displacement includes the expression of emotions toward that person, objects which were not the reason for these feelings. The reactive formation is the expression of that behavior that is oppositional to irrational unconscious impulses. For example, the one who feel hate to someone can express love and sympathy toward that person. Denial is the mechanism of defense that includes rejection of admitting some irrational feelings experienced by the individual (McLeod, 2009).
Illustrations of defense mechanisms in the movie “Running with scissors.”
In the episode when Deirdre emotionally criticizes Fern for her writings (begins at 9:45), we can see such mechanisms like displacement and reactive formation. Deirdre humiliates and shames Fern in front of the whole group of other women because Deirdre herself feels embarrassed. She is angry because society did not give recognition to her literature “talent” and she directs her angriness against innocent Fern. We can also consider the behavior of Deirdre in this situation like reactive formation because Deirdre expresses some negative feelings toward Fern, but, as we can see further in the movie Deirdre falls in love with Fern.
In the episode when parents of Augusten quarrel, Deirdre, as we can suggest, use the mechanism of projection. She blames her husband that he wants her death, that he waits, she cuts her veins. At the same time, during a conversation with her psychiatrist, Deirdre admits that she have thoughts about suicide. In other words, Deirdre blames her husband in own desires that she has.
Natalie uses the mechanism of rationalization when Augesten tells that she has to go to college and become a student. She explains to Augesten that she cannot do this because she is from crazy Finch`s family. We can suggest that such answer is the only justification for Natalie, behind this justification Natalie`s fear of changes or something else can be hidden.
Rationalization also can be observed in that episode when Neal told to Hope that love is marvelous, and she need to try to love somebody. Instead of admitting that she is lonely and unhappy, instead of admitting her feelings associated with her loneliness, Hope begins to rationalize. She tells very rationally that love must be mature between two mature persons instead of expressing her pain about the absence of love and relationship in her life.
Agnes deny and repress own feelings, thoughts, and fear. When her husband, Dr. Finch asks her to get out the toilet his feces and put it in their yard near the home, she does not show any emotions, she does not argue with him. She acts in the way as people behave in ordinary situations. But in the next episode, we can see that her hands are shaking, and she was compulsively trying to convince herself that her husband was mentally healthy and that everything is fine with him.
It is interesting that Augesten is the one in this story who uses “healthy” defense mechanism – sublimation. He expressed his anger and sadness openly or by making notes in his diary. Also, he directed his Id-impulses and energy to his dream of becoming a stylist and to trying to master some skills which were necessary for making his dream true. He forwarded his unconscious energy to constructive direction, to some creative work.
Finally, after analyzing mechanisms of defense used by different characters of “Running with Scissors,” it can be concluded that the more a character protect oneself and repress one`s unconscious desires and feelings by using defense mechanisms the higher were the likelihood of one`s abnormality. For example, Deirdre who became ill with schizophrenia tended to use defense mechanisms most of the time. By using these defenses she was engaged in self-deception, and more she used mechanisms more she denied the reality.
As well as Deirdre did not want to understand and realize that she is not as talented as she thought, the same way Agnes refused to notice that her family is unhappy, and her husband is not quite normal mentally. As well as Natalie pretended that she is not concerned about the future, that she is carefree, as well Hope justified or denied her loneliness, etc.
If all these heroes had stopped to deceive themselves, to suppress their fears and real feelings, they would have to change their lives radically. But for them it was very scary, that is why, I believe, they continued to use defense mechanisms. At the same time, Augesten was the one who was not afraid to face the truth, change his life and himself. That's why he ran away from home Dr. Finch and began “another life”.
References
McLeod, S. A. (2009). Defense Mechanisms. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/defense-mechanisms.html
