puolustuskeinoista

Puolustuskeinot, meaning defense mechanisms in Finnish, refers to unconscious psychological strategies used to cope with reality and maintain self-image. These mechanisms protect individuals from anxiety arising from unacceptable thoughts or feelings. They operate outside of conscious awareness and distort or deny reality in some manner. Examples include repression, which is unconsciously pushing unwanted thoughts or memories out of awareness, and denial, where an individual refuses to acknowledge a painful reality. Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings to others, while displacement redirects emotions from a threatening target to a safer one. Rationalization is the construction of logical-sounding excuses for unacceptable behavior or feelings. Regression involves returning to an earlier, more comforting developmental stage. Intellectualization focuses on abstract thought to distance oneself from painful emotions. Reaction formation involves behaving in a way that is the opposite of one's true feelings. Sublimation channels unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities. These defense mechanisms are a normal part of human psychological functioning, though overuse or rigid application can be detrimental. They are central concepts in psychodynamic theories, particularly those developed by Sigmund Freud and later elaborated by his daughter, Anna Freud.