Integrating theory, research, and practical applications, this timely book provides a comprehensive examination of defense mechanisms and their role in both normal development and psychopathology. The author describes how children and adults mobilize specific kinds of defenses to maintain their psychological equilibrium and preserve self-esteem, particularly in situations of trauma or stress. Many lucid examples illustrate what these mechanisms look like in everyday life; the impact of age, gender, and personality differences; what happens when defenses are used maladaptively; and how they are affected by psychotherapy. Challenges in assessment are considered, and empirically supported instruments and approaches are discussed in depth. --- from the publisher Critical Acclaim: "In this comprehensive, well-organized, and lucid book, Cramer draws on her own extensive work and that of other investigators to show how defense mechanisms appear and replace each other in the course of development; how different defenses are related to gender, personality, and to different kinds and degrees of pathology; and how these unconscious phenomena are measured. This book would be an excellent main or supplemental text for many courses in personality and clinical psychology."-Ravenna Helson, PhD, Department of Psychology (Emeritus), University of California, Berkeley "Cramer presents a fascinating program of research and theory on developmental and clinical aspects of defense mechanisms. All students of personality-and all clinicians, regardless of theoretical orientation-will enrich their understanding of the core role that defenses play. Written in a clear and compelling manner, this book helps us understand how denial, projection, and identification are manifested in normal development and in psychopathology. This book makes an important contribution to a developmentally informed approach to mental disorders."
-Robert L. Leahy, PhD, American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, New York, NY "This book presents a wise and elegant synthesis of what is known about the nature, development, assessment, and real-life implications of defense mechanisms in childhood and adulthood, by one of the premier researchers in this area. Cramer deftly interweaves information on the rich research base on psychological defense with insights gleaned from literature, clinical encounters with patients, and detailed case studies. The book should be equally useful to personality researchers and practicing clinicians and would be an excellent resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in personality, assessment, and psychotherapy. In short, this book should be of use to anyone who wants to understand more deeply the ways-both healthy and damaging-that children and adults cope with the stresses and challenges of daily life."-Rebecca L. Shiner, PhD, Department of Psychology, Colgate University Contents: I. Defenses in Everyday Life
1. Introduction
2. Development of Defenses
II. A Closer Look at Three Defenses
3. Denial
4. Projection
5. Identification
III. Defense Mechanisms in Action
6. Defenses in Childhood: Stress and Psychopathology
7. Stress and Defense Use in Adulthood
8. Defenses and Personality
9. Gender Differences and Defenses
10. Studying Defenses over Time: Longitudinal Studies
IV. Defenses and Psychopathology
11. Defenses and Psychopathology in Adult Community and Student Samples
12. Defenses and Psychopathology in Adult Psychiatric Patients
13. Defenses and Psychotherapy
14. Case Studies
V. Assessment of Defenses
15. Explaining the Defense Mechanism Manual
16. Other Approaches to Assessing Defense Mechanisms |
