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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
08:55
Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
On structure formation and the processes of alteration
The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Defense mechanisms are crucial for psychic structure development. Processes like repression, introjection, and identification build the ego and ego-ideal, while others like projection and reaction formation utilize hypercathexis.
Area of Science:
- Psychoanalytic theory
- Psychology
- Psychic structure development
Background:
- Defense mechanisms traditionally viewed solely for protection.
- These mechanisms also play a vital role in psychic structure formation.
- Re-examination of ego alteration processes is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine ego alteration processes.
- To understand the origin and function of defense mechanisms.
- To clarify the role of specific mechanisms in psychic development.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of psychoanalytic theory.
- Re-evaluation of established defense mechanisms.
- Exploration of psychic energy concepts like hypercathexis.
Main Results:
- Primal repression is linked to secondary process development.
- Introjection and identification build the ego-ideal-superego and ego.
- Projection, reaction formation, and disavowal use hypercathexis.
- Undoing is an ego split, not a defense mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Defense mechanisms are integral to psychic structure development.
- Hypercathexis is a key concept in understanding defense functioning.
- Psychoanalytic theory requires a concept of psychic energy.
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