Dynamic Psychopathology
Paper A Syllabic content 5.23
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We claim copyright for our own text material, productions and adaptations. We claim no
rights to Images/Figures with CC-BY-SA license if they are used in this material.
© SPMM Course 1
,1. Defence mechanisms
Defence mechanisms are not descriptions; they are explanations for certain human behaviour and
experiences. Hence they are a part of explanatory psychopathology. These defences operate both
in normal individuals and under pathological conditions. Anna Freud organised Freudian
defences; Klein and later contributors added some more defence mechanisms. Vaillant (1977)
classified them and categorised them to mature, immature and neurotic defences. Kleinian
defences are sometimes called as psychotic defences. Using a narrow repertoire of defences
repeatedly and repeated use of immature or neurotic defences may be associated with disease
states or traits.
How is a defence mechanism formed?
Prohibitions (moral,
Wish or Impulse
social or legal)
Defence
operation
Symptoms formed Signal Anxiety
Mature defences:
SASHA is a mnemonic for the mature defences.
Altruism: Using constructive and gratifying service to others to receive a vicarious satisfaction.
This does not involve giving up one’s pleasures. Altruism is distinguished from altruistic
surrender, in which surrender of direct gratification of instinctual needs takes place to satisfy the
needs of others to the detriment of the self.
© SPMM Course 2
, ALTRUISM Conflict Result Process
‘Defeat’ in a situation Unconditional offer of help Replaces aggression and
competition by support: Achieve
vicarious satisfaction
Humour: Here comedy is used to express feelings and thoughts overtly without personal
discomfort and without producing an unpleasant effect on others. It allows the person to tolerate
and yet focus on troublesome aspects.
HUMOUR Conflict Result Process
Failure, loss or destruction of Highlighting amusing aspects of Anxiety converted to comedy or
belongings threat signals or outcome irony
Anticipation: Here one plans realistically for future inner discomfort and expects worse to occur
with mental preparation. Note that anticipation without specific target or goal is nothing but free-
floating anxiety and this is not helpful; Anticipation mechanism is goal-directed and implies
careful planning for potential difficulties.
ANTICIPATION Conflict Result Process
Sudden threat event Predicting probabilities and Matching events and coping
planning countermeasures resources to achieve a sense of
control
Sublimation: Achieving impulse gratification but only after altering a socially objectionable
impulse to a socially acceptable one. Sublimation allows instincts to be channelled, rather than
blocked.
SUBLIMATION Conflict Result Process
Unacceptable impulses Socially acceptable behaviour Rechanneling impulses into
acceptable expressions
Suppression: Consciously or semiconsciously postponing attention to a conscious impulse or
conflict. Issues may be deliberately cut off, but they are not avoided. Discomfort is acknowledged
but minimized.
ALTRUISM Conflict Result Process
© SPMM Course 3
Paper A Syllabic content 5.23
© SPMM Course
We claim copyright for our own text material, productions and adaptations. We claim no
rights to Images/Figures with CC-BY-SA license if they are used in this material.
© SPMM Course 1
,1. Defence mechanisms
Defence mechanisms are not descriptions; they are explanations for certain human behaviour and
experiences. Hence they are a part of explanatory psychopathology. These defences operate both
in normal individuals and under pathological conditions. Anna Freud organised Freudian
defences; Klein and later contributors added some more defence mechanisms. Vaillant (1977)
classified them and categorised them to mature, immature and neurotic defences. Kleinian
defences are sometimes called as psychotic defences. Using a narrow repertoire of defences
repeatedly and repeated use of immature or neurotic defences may be associated with disease
states or traits.
How is a defence mechanism formed?
Prohibitions (moral,
Wish or Impulse
social or legal)
Defence
operation
Symptoms formed Signal Anxiety
Mature defences:
SASHA is a mnemonic for the mature defences.
Altruism: Using constructive and gratifying service to others to receive a vicarious satisfaction.
This does not involve giving up one’s pleasures. Altruism is distinguished from altruistic
surrender, in which surrender of direct gratification of instinctual needs takes place to satisfy the
needs of others to the detriment of the self.
© SPMM Course 2
, ALTRUISM Conflict Result Process
‘Defeat’ in a situation Unconditional offer of help Replaces aggression and
competition by support: Achieve
vicarious satisfaction
Humour: Here comedy is used to express feelings and thoughts overtly without personal
discomfort and without producing an unpleasant effect on others. It allows the person to tolerate
and yet focus on troublesome aspects.
HUMOUR Conflict Result Process
Failure, loss or destruction of Highlighting amusing aspects of Anxiety converted to comedy or
belongings threat signals or outcome irony
Anticipation: Here one plans realistically for future inner discomfort and expects worse to occur
with mental preparation. Note that anticipation without specific target or goal is nothing but free-
floating anxiety and this is not helpful; Anticipation mechanism is goal-directed and implies
careful planning for potential difficulties.
ANTICIPATION Conflict Result Process
Sudden threat event Predicting probabilities and Matching events and coping
planning countermeasures resources to achieve a sense of
control
Sublimation: Achieving impulse gratification but only after altering a socially objectionable
impulse to a socially acceptable one. Sublimation allows instincts to be channelled, rather than
blocked.
SUBLIMATION Conflict Result Process
Unacceptable impulses Socially acceptable behaviour Rechanneling impulses into
acceptable expressions
Suppression: Consciously or semiconsciously postponing attention to a conscious impulse or
conflict. Issues may be deliberately cut off, but they are not avoided. Discomfort is acknowledged
but minimized.
ALTRUISM Conflict Result Process
© SPMM Course 3
