Defense-mechanism definition
(biology) A physiological reaction of an organism used in self-protection, as against infection.
noun
Any self-protective physiological system or reaction of an organism.
noun
(psychiatry) Any thought process, as repression, introjection, denial, displacement, or sublimation, unconsciously used by an individual as a defense against feelings of guilt, anxiety, shame, etc.
noun
(psychology) In psychoanalytic theory, any of various usually unconscious mental processes, including denial, projection, rationalization, and repression, that protect the ego from shame, anxiety, conflict, loss of self-esteem, or other unacceptable feelings or thoughts.
noun
(psychology) A psychological strategy used unconsciously by people to cope with harmful or stressful situations.
noun
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(psychology) Any of various usually unconscious mental processes, including denial, projection, rationalization, and repression, that protect the ego from shame, anxiety, conflict, loss of self-esteem, or other unacceptable feelings or thoughts.
noun
(biology) A physiological reaction of an organism used in self-protection, as against infection.
noun
Alternative Forms
Alternative Form of defense-mechanism -
defence mechanism
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
defense-mechanism
Plural:
defense-mechanisms