3 Defense Mechanisms

Compensation. Compensation is a process of psychologically counterbalancing perceived weaknesses by

emphasizing strength in other arenas. By emphasizing and focusing on one’s strengths, a person is
recognizing they cannot be strong at all things and in all areas of their lives. When done appropriately
and not to over-compensate, compensation is a defense mechanism that helps reinforce a person’s self-
esteem and self-image. When a person says, “I may not know how to cook, but I can sure do the
dishes!” they’re trying to compensate for their lack of cooking skills by emphasizing their cleaning skills
instead. Another example: Reggie is not good at athletics, so he puts all his energies into becoming an
academic scholar.

Identification. Identification involves the person dealing with anxiety by adapting the behavior of a
person who is more powerful towards them. For example, Marie admires Suzy, the most popular girl in
school, and tries to copy her behavior and dress. An extreme example of this is the Stockholm
Syndrome, where hostages establish an emotional bond with their captor(s) and take on their behaviors.
Patty Hearst was abused and raped by her captors, yet she joined the Symbionese Liberation Army and
even took part in one of their bank robberies. At her trial, she was acquitted because she was a victim
suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

Humor. The individual deals with emotional conflict or external stressors by emphasizing the amusing or
ironic aspects of the conflict or stressors. It involves looking for a funny aspect in an environment in
which we lack the control that can help us to endure it. Filipinos are well-known to smile in the face of
adversity, even finding humor in less than funny circumstances.