CRIM 3 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND VICTIMOLOGY

LESSON 2

Coping Mechanism

It is defined as the way people react to frustration. People differ in the way they
react to frustration. This could be attributed to individual differences and the way
people prepared in the developmental task they faced during the early stages of their
life.

Frustration Tolerance

It is the ability to withstand frustration without developing inadequate modes of

response such as being emotionally depressed or irritated, becoming neurotic, or
becoming aggressive.

Broad Reactions to Frustration

 Fight – is manifested by fighting the problem in a constructive and direct way by

means of breaking down the obstacles preventing the person reaching his goals.
 Flight – it can be manifested by sulking, retreating, becoming indifferent and
giving up.

Different Types of Reaction to Frustration

1. Direct approach - can be seen among people who handle their problems in a very
objective way. They identify first the problem, look for the most practical and handy
way to solve it, and proceeded with the constructive manner of utilizing the solution
which will produce the best results.
2. Detour - when an individual realizes that in finding for the right solution of the
problem, he always end up with a negative outcome or result. Thus, he tries to make
a detour or change direction first and find out if the solution or remedy is there.
3. Substitution - most of time are resulted to in handling frustration when an original
plan intended to solve the problem did not produce the intended result, thus the
most practical way to face the problem, is to look for most possible or alternative
means.
4. Withdrawal or retreat - is corresponding to running away from the problem or flight
which to some is the safest way.
5. Developing feeling of inferiority - comes when a person is unable to hold on to any
solution which gives a positive result. Being discourage to go on working for a way to
handle a frustration could result to diminishing self-confidence, until the time when
inferiority complex sets in.
6. Aggression - is a negative outcome of a person's inability to handle frustration rightly.
Manifestation in physical behavior can be observed in one's negative attitudes
towards life both in the personal and professional aspect.
7. Use of Defense Mechanism – is the most tolerated way of handling frustration. It is a
man’s last result when a person attempts to overcome fear from an anticipated
situation or event.

Defense Mechanism – is an unconscious psychological process that serves as safety

valve that provides relief from emotional conflict and anxiety.

Common Defense Mechanisms

1. Displacement - strong emotion, such as anger, is displaced onto another person or

object as the recipient of said emotion (anger), rather than being focused on the
person or object which originally was the cause of said emotion.
Example:
A person who feels that their boss has been unfair may also fear being fired if they
complain or express anger — and as a result, they may later shout at a family
member.

2. Rationalization - is the defense mechanism that enables individuals to justify their

behavior to themselves and others by making excuses or formulating fictitious,
socially approved arguments to convince themselves and others that their behavior
is logical and acceptable.
Example:
A person who is turned down for a date might rationalize the situation by saying
they were not attracted to the other person anyway.

3. Compensation - is the psychological defense mechanism through which people

attempt to overcome the anxiety associated with feelings of inferiority and
inadequacy in one is of personality or body image, by concentrating on another
area where they can excel.

Example:
Student who receives poor grades on their report card and then devotes more time
and effort to extracurricular clubs and activities.

4. Projection - manifest feelings and ideas which are unacceptable to the ego or the
superego and are projected onto others so that they seem to have these feelings or
ideas, which free the individual from the guilt and anxiety associated with them.
Example:
 Cheating spouse who suspects their partner is being unfaithful. Instead of
acknowledging their own infidelity, they transfer, or project, this behavior onto their
partner.

5. Reaction formation - is defined as the development of a trait or traits which are the
opposite of tendencies that we do not want to recognize. The person is motivated
to act in a certain way, but behaves in the opposite way. Consequently, he is able
to keep his urges and impulses under control.
Example:
A person may experience normal feelings of sadness or disappointment after a
relationship breaks down. If they feel that these emotions are unacceptable, they
may publicly act as if they are happy or unconcerned.

6. Denial – when a person uses this, he refuses to recognize and deal with reality
because of strong inner needs.
Example:
After the unexpected death of a loved one, a person might refuse to accept the
reality of the death and deny that anything has happened.

7. Repression – is unconscious process whereby unacceptable urges or painful

traumatic experiences are completely prevented from entering consciousness.
Example:
Some unexplained phobias may stem from traumatic childhood experiences that
the person has since repressed.

8. Suppression - which is sometimes confused with that of repression, is a conscious

activity by which an individual attempts to forget emotionally disturbing thoughts
and experiences by pushing them out of his mind.
Example:
A wife may be peeved about her husband’s behaviour. Because of some guests
around her, she may control her reaction and decide to bring it up later when no
one is around them.

9. Identification - an individual seeks to overcome his own feelings of inadequacy,

loneliness, or inferiority by taking on the characteristics of someone who is important
to him.
Example:
Child who identifies with his parents who are seen as models of intelligence, strength
and competence.
10. Substitution - through this defense mechanism, the individual seeks to overcome
feelings of frustration and anxiety by achieving alternate goals and gratifications.
Example:
A person experiencing extreme anger might take up kick-boxing as a means of
venting frustration.

11. Fantasy - Avoiding reality by retreating to a safe place within your mind. When
something in your life is causing anxiety, you might retreat to your inner world where
the cause of the stress cannot harm you.
Example:
A boy who is punished by a teacher creates fantasies of shooting the teacher.

12. Regression – a person reverts to a pattern of feeling, thinking or behavior which was
appropriate to an earlier stage of development.
Example:
An individual fixated at an earlier developmental stage might cry or sulk upon
hearing unpleasant news.

13. Sublimation – is the process by which instinctual drives which consciously

unacceptable are diverted into personally and socially accepted channels. It is a
positive and constructive mechanism for defending against own unacceptable
impulses and needs.
Example:
A woman who recently went through a breakup may channel her emotions into a
home improvement project.