Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Setup and Execution Of the Blindfolded Code Training Exercise
Published on: March 29, 2019
Learning to recognize ego defense mechanisms: results of a structured teaching experience for psychiatric residents
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 116, 1055 Clermont St., Denver, CO 80220-0116, USA. thomas.beresford@uchsc.edu
Objective:
Ego defense mechanism (EDM) recognition can offer a powerful and practical tool in clinical psychiatry. However, recognition skill learning can be difficult to assess and may account for the lack of formal EDM recognition training in residency courses.
Method:
This study hypothesized that mean test scores would increase significantly over 8 weeks in a course on practical EDM recognition. Second-year residents from two successive classes (n = 25) were tested in the first and the last course sessions using a 10-item, multiple-choice test. Correct answer mean scores were compared using Student's t test.
Results:
Test scores demonstrated an increase in the mean percentage of correct answers between the two time points: 54% versus 82%.
Conclusions:
These data suggest that clinical EDM recognition can be systematically taught and that learning can be measured appropriately.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Structure of Self
Components of the Mind: Id, Ego, and Superego
Psychodynamic Therapy
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
Protecting Self-Esteem

