Defense mechanisms and the role of the ego

Freud-Defense Mechanism great deal of Freudian psychoanalytic theory has been discredited and therefore gone into disuse, but one of his most profound psychodynamic observations that remains a viable concept is his theory of defense mechanisms. This theory and the manifest descriptions of defense mechanisms have in fact been added to and amended by more current psychologists and theorists as a result of the fact that many of them are universal human behavior observed on a frequent basis.

According to Freud, "Defense mechanisms" serve the particular purpose of protecting the self (in Freud's case the fragile id or childlike self from the rigid self or the super ego through trickery of the referee the ego) from psychological harm. To protect the self from harm, the defense mechanism is governed by a dogma, behavior or a set of behaviors that in some way tricks the individual and his or her environment into believing things are different. More specifically, motivations are different than they really are. To protect the self, the ego tricks the id into believing he or she is under control and the super ego into believing the personality is acting in a way more reflective of the rigid morals the superego is in charge (483-484). Freud postulates six defense mechanisms and these are: repression, regression, projection, displacement, denial, and reaction formation which will be given ample elaboration during the course of this essay (484-485).

Reaction formation "occurs when a feeling that produces unconscious anxiety is transformed into its opposite in consciousness... [also] the professed feeling is excessive, and the person is extravagant and compulsive about demonstrating it" (484).

In this case, the politician's arousal to erotic images can be said to be governed by his id, particularly his basic sexual drive or sexual instinct. On the other hand, the existence of superego demands the person to play by the dictates of the society, and that is one's aversion to erotic images as it is dismissed as a pervert act, therefore unacceptable. Moreover, his status as a respected politician prods his superego to act as a good citizen and decent role model at all times. He might be governed by the belief that much is expected from him as a public servant and that involves a flawless character - a fundamental attribute; that which garners people's respect which is very important in the nature of his job. This, in turn, causes feelings of anxiety which the ego will attempt to balance using a defense mechanism which in this case is reaction formation.

One of the things that the politician might do to brush away his sexual drive and to assure himself that he is in keeping with the norms of the society and of people's expectation of him is to publicly espouse how erotic imagery is a "gateway" to immoral behavior and therefore should be censured from the public completely or at the very least from "vulnerable" populations of people, such as teens or children who have limited impulse control.

The politician might also join or align himself with anti-pornography organizations, protest local laws and rules allowing the sales of erotic imagery and material to anyone not of legal age, and even author bills that censor erotic materials. The politician might even engage in an inordinate amount of public speaking engagements or endorsements supporting his reaction formation defense mechanism. This will pose an opportunity for him to denounce pornography and make it known to people how much of a social problem pornography is and how this needs immediate attention and action.

The politician might also be obsessed in proving his decency. Consequently, he might associate himself with people who are known to be celibate therefore publicly denouncing their sexual instincts such as priests, nuns, monks, etc. He might fight for the causes of these people. Innocence is also in stark opposition with eroticism which is why the politician might publicly associate himself with the causes of children who basically exudes innocence. He might propose, amend, or support anti-child pornography bills.

In short, reaction formation is described very eloquently by those who observe the phenomena, "he doth protest too much," when people have extreme reverse reactions to their own inner drives and feelings. This case shows that inner drives or feelings may even be one's "inner demons" and an individual should and must find positive ways to "cast these demons away" lest he or she will succumb to a possible psychological debilitation brought about by the erotic images, as a case pointed out thereto.