The term "psychological defense" refers to an unconscious mental process that people use to protect themselves from anxiety caused by threatening thoughts or emotions. It is often used to describe how people cope with stressful situations or traumatic experiences. People may use denial, repression, rationalization, displacement, projection, sublimation, or regression to deal with difficult situations. In this article, I will discuss the psychological defenses that emerge when individuals attempt to suppress their sexual feelings toward someone they must continue seeing daily.
One common defense mechanism is denial. Denial is a coping strategy whereby a person refuses to acknowledge a situation or problem. When faced with unwanted sexual desires for someone they see every day, an individual might deny that the attraction exists. They may convince themselves that it's not real or that it can be ignored until it goes away.
A woman who works closely with her male colleague may tell herself she doesn't find him attractive even though she does. She may avoid thinking about him and pretend he doesn't exist.
Another defense mechanism is repression. Repression involves pushing uncomfortable thoughts or feelings out of consciousness. Individuals may try to push away unwanted sexual desires by not acknowledging them. This approach may work in the short-term but can lead to long-term problems if left unchecked. A man might find himself unable to perform his job because he keeps thinking about his female boss, leading to reduced productivity and potential termination.
Rationalization is another defense mechanism whereby an individual justifies undesirable behavior. Someone may say "it's only natural" to feel sexually attracted to someone they see every day, even if the attraction isn't acceptable. They may rationalize their feelings by saying it's normal or harmless.
Rationalizing these emotions doesn't make them go away, and it won't change how others perceive the situation.
Displacement is a defense mechanism whereby individuals redirect their emotions toward someone else.
When someone feels angry at their partner, they might lash out at their child instead. In the context of suppressing sexual feelings towards a coworker, an employee may channel those feelings into anger towards their supervisor.
Projection is a defense mechanism whereby people attribute their negative traits onto others. When faced with unwanted sexual feelings for someone, an individual may project those feelings onto the other person. They may believe that the person they are attracted to finds them repulsive and disgusting. By doing so, they avoid taking responsibility for their own actions.
Sublimation involves channeling negative emotions into positive ones. Instead of acting on impulsive urges, an individual redirects them into creative pursuits like art or music. This approach can be beneficial in the long run but requires self-control and discipline. A woman who is attracted to her male co-worker may use sublimation to focus on her job performance instead of dwelling on her feelings.
Regression is a defense mechanism whereby an individual regresses to childhood behaviors. Someone may act immaturely or irrationality to cope with uncomfortable emotions.
A man who has been sexually attracted to his female colleague may start acting out inappropriately, such as making sexual comments or gestures. This behavior could lead to disciplinary action from management and damage professional relationships.
Psychological defenses can help individuals cope with stressful situations involving sexual attraction to someone they see daily.
These mechanisms have their limits, and if left unchecked, they can cause more problems than solutions. Individuals should seek professional help to manage their feelings healthily and productively.
What psychological defenses emerge when individuals attempt to suppress sexual feelings toward someone they must continue seeing daily?
The defense mechanism of repression can develop as an individual tries to deny their sexual attraction towards someone they see regularly. Repression is a common response that involves pushing unpleasant thoughts into the subconscious mind to avoid dealing with them consciously. This process allows an individual to function normally while still feeling anxious about their hidden desire.