1) Defence mechanisms are unconscious processes that protect the ego from unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses. They can be physiological responses that protect the body from pathogens or psychological processes that protect the ego. 2) Physiological defence mechanisms include the immune system components like lymphocytes and the reticuloendothelial system that fight off foreign substances. The endocrine system also works with the nervous system to control growth and homeostasis. 3) Psychological defence mechanisms are unconscious ego processes described by Freud to maintain, enhance, or defend oneself. They include rationalization, projection, displacement, reaction formation, and repression. Defence mechanisms become pathological when their overuse leads to maladaptive behavior.

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2. INTRODUCTION
Defence Mechanism is a broad term, but popularly
known as Ego Defence Mechanism which falls under
psychology.
In Physiology, the defensive reaction of an organism,
as against a pathogenic microorganism.
In Psychology, an unconscious process, as denial, that
protects an individual from acceptable or painful ideas
or impulses.
A Freudian term referring to an unconscious
avoidance of something that produces anxiety or some
other unpleasant emotion.
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Cont.

3. INTRODUCTION
Defence Mechanism
Bodily Defence Mechanism Ego Defence Mechanism
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4. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Physiological Bodily Defence Mechanism
Protective response of the body against disease
Psychological Ego Defence Mechanism
Unconscious mental process to protect from
shame, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, conflict, or
unacceptable feelings
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5. BODILY DEFENCE MECHANISM
(Immunological Mechanism)
Lymphocyte Cells
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell in the vertebrate
immune system, and play a major role in defending the body
from both tumors and virally infected cells. They number
about one trillion.
Cont. 5

6. BODILY DEFENCE MECHANISM
(Immunological Mechanism)
Reticuloendothelial System
Reticuloendothelial system, mononuclear system, is
involved in the acquisition of nutrients in the immune system,
it is a major mechanism used to remove pathogens and cell
debris,
It engulfs and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other foreign
substances or abnormal body cells. These cells are derived
from the bone marrow. They are mostly located in tissues
such as the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain, and
subcutaneous tissues.
Cont. 6

7. BODILY DEFENCE MECHANISM
(Immunological Mechanism)
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and
hormones that regulates many of the body's
functions, including growth, development and maturation, as
well as the way various organs operate. The endocrine
glands -- including the
pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, thymus, pancreas, ovaries, an
d testes -- release carefully-measured amounts of
hormones into the bloodstream that act as natural chemical
messengers, traveling to different parts of the body in order
to control and adjust many life functions.
Cont. 7

8. BODILY DEFENCE MECHANISM
(Immunological Mechanism)
Endocrine System
The system works in parallel with the nervous system to
control growth and maturation along with homeostasis.
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9. EGO DEFENCE MECHANISM
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) : Psychoanalytic Theory
Ego defence mechanism is a constellation of
related ideas by means of which the individual
 Maintains
 Enhances
 Defends himself
Cont. 9

10. EGO DEFENCE MECHANISM
Psychoanalytic Theory
Personality Structure (Id, Ego & Superego)
Structure of Personality
Id: a selfish, childish, pleasure-oriented part of the
personality with no ability to delay gratification.
Superego: internalized societal and parental
standards of "good" and "bad", "right" and "wrong"
behaviour.
Ego: the moderator between the id and superego
which seeks compromises to pacify both. It can be
viewed as our "sense of time and place",
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Cont.

11. EGO DEFENCE MECHANISM
Psychoanalytic Theory
Personality Structure (Id, Ego & Superego)
PRIMITIVE AND
ID UNCONSCIOUS
EXECUTIVE OF THE
EGO PERSONALITY OR GOAL
MEDIATOR
IDEAL / LEARNED /
SUPER EGO MORAL
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12. EGO’S INVOLVEMENT IN FRUSTRATION
Frustration refers to the state of the organism
when the achievement of goal is blocked
External: Internal:
 Physical  Physiological
 Social  Psychological
Cont. 12

13. EGO’S INVOLVEMENT IN FRUSTRATION
Frustration sets barrier before the goal.
Thus, Ego gets involved mediating between
the individual and frustration
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14. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Rationalization
Where a person convinces him or herself that no
wrong is done through rationalizing or making excuse
Cont. 14

15. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Projection
Placing blame for own difficulties on others
Cont. 15

16. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Compensation
Covering up weakness by emphasizing desirable trait
Cont. 16

17. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Displacement
Shifting aggressive impulses to a more acceptable or
less threatening target
Cont. 17

18. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Reaction Formation
Behaviour that is completely the opposite of what one
really wants or feels
Cont. 18

19. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Sublimation
Transformation of negative emotions or instincts into
positive actions, behaviour or emotion
Cont. 19

20. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Isolation
Withdrawal from situation, passivity
Cont. 20

21. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Denial
Protects self from unpleasant reality by refusal to face
it, often by escapist activities
Cont. 21

22. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Repression
Preventing painful thoughts from entering consciousness
Cont. 22

23. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Regression
Temporary reversion to an earlier stage of development
Cont. 23

24. DEFENCE MECHANISM
Intellectualization
A form of isolation; concentrating on the intellectual
components of a situation so as to distance oneself from
the associated anxiety-provoking situation
Cont. 24

25. CONCLUSION
Defence mechanism, a completely different two systems that
help individual keep balance in physic and mind
Physiological
Protective response of the body against disease
Psychological
Unconscious psychological strategies help cope with reality
Healthy persons use different defences throughout life
Ego Defense Mechanism becomes pathological only when its
persistent use leads to maladaptive behaviour
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