Defense Mechanisms

PURPOSE:

Track defense mechanisms in portrayals of ordinary life.

Select a TV program either portraying a reality situation (e.g., Survivor) or one that involves ongoing interaction among its characters (one of the doctor shows emphasizing the characters’ relationships or a sitcom exploring interrelationships, like King of Queens or Friends.)

Watch one episode. Taping it would allow review and rethinking specific behaviors.

Select three defense mechanisms used by the characters portrayed.

Describe the behavior, NAME THE DEFENSE MECHANISM and explain how it represents a defense mechanism and say how the defense mechanism is useful to the character.

Is the use of the defense mechanism adaptive or destructive?

Do the other characters spot the defense mechanism and consciously compensate for it?.

what defense mechanism is involved

what the adaptive or maladaptive functions of this defense mechanism are and whether it is obvious to others.