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Sexual responsivity and ego defenses
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Individuals responding to sexual stimuli differ in their defense mechanisms. Low sexual responders utilize avoidant defenses, while high responders employ approach defenses, indicating consistent defensive styles.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Defense Mechanisms
- Sexual Response
Background:
- Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies used to cope with anxiety.
- Sexual response can be influenced by various psychological factors, including defense mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sexual response levels and preferred defense mechanisms.
- To explore if defensive orientation is consistent across different situations.
Main Methods:
- Participants were categorized as high or low sexual responders based on a double-entendre word association test.
- Defense preferences were assessed using the Defense Mechanisms Inventory.
Main Results:
- Low sexual responders showed a preference for avoidant defenses, specifically reversal and principalization.
- High sexual responders favored approach defenses, including turning against the object and projection.
- Defensive orientation appeared consistent across different contexts.
Conclusions:
- Sexual response level is associated with distinct patterns of defense mechanism utilization.
- Individuals exhibit a consistent preference for either approach or avoidant defense strategies.