Survey conducted on college students about the defense mechanism used by them.

1. DEFENSE
MECHANISM
SURVEY AND RESEARCH

2. WHAT IS DEFENSE MECHANISM
A defense mechanism is an
unconscious psychological
mechanism that reduces
anxiety arising from
unacceptable or potentially
harmful stimuli. Defense
mechanisms may result in
healthy or unhealthy
consequences depending on
the circumstances and
frequency with which the
mechanism is used.

3. VARIOUS DEFENSE MECHANISM
Acceptance Acting out Anticipation Altruism Avoidance Conversion
Denial Dissociation Fantasy Humor
Displaceme
nt
Idealistaion Identification Introjection
Humility
Passive
Aggression
Rationalisat
ion
Intellectualis
ation
Isolation Projection
Reaction
Formation
Repression Regression
Social
Comparison
Splitting Suppression Somatization Sublimation Undoing
Wishful
Thinking

4. OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
IDENTIFYING ADAPTIVE AND MALADAPTIVE
USE OF DEFENSE MECHANISM
ADAPTIVE DEFENSE MECHANISM
It allows individuals to adapt in a positive
manner to various situations. By using a
defense mechanism if a particular behavior
gets constructive and productive it can be
considered as adaptive.
Example: a man reacts to news of the death of
a loved one by saying, “No, I don’t believe
you. The doctor said he was fine.”
MALADAPTIVE DEFENSE MECHANISM
Coping through Maladaptive defense
mechanism are usually not productive.
Instead of relieving the anxiety and tension
the individual feels, use of these mechanisms
leads to creation of further health problems.
Example: a woman whose husband died 3 years
back still keeps his clothes in the closet and
talks about him in the present.

5. Methodology
The method used for the survey is
Questionnaire. We have tried to
accumulate the students
particularly of the age group of 18-
24 years. 100 people were
surveyed by our group who
actively reached out to us to give
their contribution.

6. DEFENSE MECHANISM USED IN SURVEY
ACTING OUT RATIONALIZATION DENIAL
PROJECTION REGRESSION UNDOING
DISPLACEMENT SUBLIMATION

7. Question. You couldn’t
clear examination in 2nd
attempt. You will –
A.) curse yourself and feel
depressed.
B.) analyze what is best for
you. You will quit
preparation for CAT and
start giving interviews on
the basis of your present
qualifications.
Option A- Maladaptive Option B- Adaptive

8. 81%
11%
8%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAP
TIVE
OTHER
OTHER RESPONSES
1. Initially I will feel
depressed, but I will keep
trying.
2. Analyze the best for
myself, but if I find
preparing for CAT is the only
thing I want to do, I will
continue with it.

9. Question. You got compartment
in some subject in college. You
will-
A) be angry and start blaming the
teacher and the system and
will quit studies as you lose
faith in the education system.
B) think the examiner didn't
check your paper properly
apply for rechecking.
Option A- Maladaptive Option B- Adaptive

10. 72%
9%
19%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAPTIVE
OTHER
OTHER RESPONSES
1. I will start studying
and analyze my
mistakes and then
reappear in exam so
that I don’t have to
regret next year.

11. Question. You are scolded
by your teacher for not
performing well in
academics. You will-
A) develop a habit of
fighting and arguing with
your friends and parents.
B) feel bad and start
working hard.
Option A- Maladaptive Option B- Adaptive

12. OTHER RESPONSES
1. They would not feel
bad, yet work out on
their mistake.
2. Have already worked
hard, will see if there
was any logic in the
teacher’s scolding.
88%
5%
7%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAPTIVE
OTHER

13. Question. You are
extremely angry at
someone, which one
would you prefer?
A) scream at the
person you are angry
with.
B) go to the park and
jog.
Option A- Maladaptive Option B- Adaptive

14. OTHER RESPONSES
1. I will try to forget about
that person.
2. Quietly tell him/her about
my anger.
3. Initially eat up my anger,
analyze the situation and
probably stop talking to
the person for a while.
44%
42%
14%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAPTIVE
OTHER

15. Question.You are attracted to
someone and are already in a
relationship. How will you
react?
A) You gently tease your
partner about flirting with
others.
B) You repress your attraction
towards others and refuse to
socialize thinking that others
will make advances towards
you.
Option A- Adaptive Option B- Maladaptive

16. 36%
40%
24%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAPTIVE
OTHER
OTHER RESPONSES
1. I will be honest to my
partner and tell him
everything.
2. Talk it out, I wish to
explore.

17. Question. When
you are stressed
or anxious do you
binge/ eat a lot?
A) Yes
B) NoOption A- Maladaptive Option B- Adaptive

18. 54%
43%
3%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAPTIVE
OTHER
OTHER RESPONSES
1. I tend to
procrastinate more.
2. At times I eat a lot, at
other times I just
don’t feel like eating
at all.

19. Question. If you said
something hurtful to
your best friend, you
will-
A) feel guilty and try to
balance things out by
paying him/her
compliments.
B) feel anxious or
stressed.Option A- Adaptive Option B- Maladaptive

20. 69%
23%
8%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAPTIVE
OTHER
OTHER RESPONSES
1. Make light jokes and
irritate her/him,
because yes I will feel
guilty.
2. I will apologize but will
try to make things
balanced instead of
paying with some
random compliments.

21. Question. Your friend
advices you that you are
getting fat and need to
lose weight. You will-
A) not agree with her, will
not accept her advice and
enjoy being yourself.
B) deny her statement and
think she is jealous of you
and develop a feeling of
hatred towards her.
Option A- Adaptive Option B- Maladaptive

22. 61%11%
28%
RESPONSES
ADAPTIVE
MALADAPTIVE
OTHER
OTHER RESPONSES
1. I will agree with my friend
would start gyming.
2. I am strictly against body
shaming, if I am
comfortable with it then
why would I gym.
3. I would rather take my close
relatives like mum’s opinion
and will work on it only for
health purpose.

23. Defense Mechanism Adaptive Maladaptive
Acting out 81% 11%
Rationalisation 72% 9%
Displacement 88% 5%
Sublimation 44% 42%
Projection 36% 40%
Regression 54% 43%
Undoing 69% 23%
Denial 61% 11%

24. Thank you.