Table 1 Analysis of properties of defense and coping mechanisms
Defensive mechanism | Coping mechanism |
|---|---|
Behavior is rigid, and stimulus bound | Behavior involves choice and is thus flexible and purposive |
Behavior is pushed from the past, and the past compels the needs of the present | Behavior is directed toward the future and takes account of the needs of the present |
Behavior is essentially distorting the present situation | Behavior is oriented to the reality requirements of the present situation |
Behavior involves relatively more primary thinking processes, has unconscious elements, and is thus undifferentiated in terms of responses | Behavior involves secondary process thinking, conscious and preconscious elements, and is highly differentiated in response |
Behavior operates under the assumption that it is possible to remove disturbing affects magically | Behavior operates within the organism’s necessity of “metering” the experiencing of disturbing affects |
Behavior allows impulse gratification by subterfuge | Behavior allows forms of impulse satisfaction in an open, ordered, and tempered way |