Repression is a defense mechanism in which the person is unable to remember or to be cognitively aware of disturbing wishes, feelings, thoughts, or experiences (American Psychological Association, 1987, p.394). According to George E. Vaillant’s (1992) classification, it is one of the neurotic defense mechanisms, because they “do not individually demonstrate strong relationships to symptoms…
Suppression is a defense mechanism in which the person avoids intentionally thinking about disturbing problems, desires, feelings, or experiences. It is considered as a mature form of defense mechanism, since these attempts to cope up with the situation are more conscious. But, is this a healthy way of living anger? Studies suggest that suppression has…
Acting-out is a defense mechanism in which the person acts without reflection or apparent regard for its negative consequences (DSM III, 1987 p.394). George E. Vaillant (1992) explains that it “involves the expression of feelings, wishes, or impulses in uncontrolled behaviour with apparent disregard for personal or social consequences” (p.253). Therefore it is the mode…
Displacement is a defense mechanism in which the person generalizes or redirects a feeling about an object or a response to an object on to another, usually less threatening object. When it comes to the anger, which is usually an unacceptable feeling, people redirect their anger about a person, place or thing towards a safer…
There are accusations that “Christianity has frequently discounted anger describing it as part of our carnal nature and representative of human depravity” (Lester, 2003, p.2). It is a non-deniable reality that Christians generally tend to consider anger as a negative emotion. Even though Jesus himself has expressed his anger in public at different times; his…