Understanding Immature Defenses: A Psychological Exploration

We all use psychological strategies to soften the impact of experience. These strategies are referred to as defense mechanisms in psychology. Sigmund Freud popularized the concept of unconscious processes that dictated outward behaviors. His sixth child, Anna Freud, followed in Freud’s footsteps. In 1937, Anna Freud published The Ego and Mechanisms of Defense. Defense mechanisms is not only a fundamental part of psychoanalytical nomenclature but a part of our everyday language.

In 1981, John Christopher Perry developed the Defense Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS), which organized the variety of defenses into easy to use categories for physicians and therapists. the least adaptive grouping of defenses are referred to as immature defenses.

The DMRS scores patients on 30 different defenses, placing the defenses into three categories: mature defenses, neurotic defenses, and immature defenses (Murphy, 2021). The categories are on a continuum from most adaptive to pathological. The three categories (mature, neurotic, and immature) are further divided into seven levels based on the adaptiveness of the mechanism. Lastly, the four levels of least adaptive mechanisms compose the list of immature defenses.

Defenses Developmentally Mediated

We are not just born with a style of defense mechanisms. Our responses to environmental stressors is formed through learning. Like most other psychological phenomenon, there is a complex and dynamic interplay between environments and biological factors (Murphy, 2021; Murphy, 2021a) in creation of defense mechanism styles.

Just like our bodies and cognitive abilities develop with age so does defense mechanisms. Immature defenses may be normative at one stage of development but become increasingly problematic with age (Araujo et al., 2004). For a variety of reasons, the immature defense mechanisms of childhood may stick, and individuals fail to develop more adaptive reactions to stressful inner states. When this happens, the defensive reaction may still mitigate the heightened emotional arousal but also interfere with adaptive behavioral responses. Consequently, the protective behavior now causes more harm than the pain it is mitigating Basically, the learned behavior is maladaptive.

“Adaptive defenses usually maximize awareness of affective mental states, allowing an individual to adaptively modulate the expression and gratification of personal needs and desires” (Cavalera et al., 2022). The underlying goal is to survive and flourish. Adaptive defense mechanisms not only mitigate powerful emotions, keeping them within a window of tolerance, but also allow enough awareness of internal states and external realities to penetrate protections and allow adaptive responses to the underlying problems.

“Less adaptive or immature defenses may involve distortions in the internal representations of self, others, or external reality, and keep potentially threatening ideas, feelings, memories, wishes or fears out of one’s awareness” (Cavalera et al., 2022). Markedly, the complete blindness that immature defenses create may suppress arousal but fail to motivate healthy behavioral responses. Subsequently, the behaviors fail to invite growth or long term solutions.

The Immature Defenses

Level 4. Minor Image Distorting Defenses:

Idealization of Self-Image: refers to the tendency for individuals to create an idealized or perfect version of themselves in their own minds. This can involve exaggerating positive qualities, downplaying flaws or mistakes, and presenting oneself in a more favorable light than may be accurate.
Idealization of Others’ Image: idealization of others’ image is a defense mechanism in psychology that involves attributing overly positive or perfect qualities to another person. This defense mechanism can serve as a way for individuals to cope with feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, or low self-esteem by projecting idealized traits onto someone else.
Devaluation of Self-Image: this mechanism involves a person characterizing themselves as flawed, worthless, or as having exaggerated negative qualities. It is a psychological strategy used to manage anxiety and protect oneself from perceived threats or failures by reducing their own self-worth.
Devaluation of Other’s Image: this mechanism involves a psychological process where an individual attributes exaggerated negative qualities to another person. This mechanism is often used to protect oneself from feelings of vulnerability or disappointment by preemptively dismissing the value or worth of others.
Omnipotence: this mechanism involves an individual’s belief in their own unlimited power and control. This psychological strategy is used to protect oneself from feelings of vulnerability or helplessness by creating an illusion of being all-powerful or superior.

Level 3. Disavowal Defenses:

Denial: this defense involves a refusal to accept reality or the facts of a situation, thereby avoiding a potentially distressing truth1. It’s an unconscious process that helps individuals cope with anxiety, stress, or painful emotions by ignoring or denying the existence or consequences of a problematic reality.
Rationalization: this mechanism involves justifying behaviors, thoughts, or feelings with seemingly logical explanations, which may disguise unacceptable thoughts and don’t accurately depict a person’s true feelings and motivations. It’s a way to protect oneself from anxiety or threats to self-esteem by denying or distorting reality.
Projection: it’s a defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own unacceptable traits or impulses to someone else to avoid recognizing those traits or impulses in themselves. This unconscious process helps protect the ego from distress by deflecting internal conflict outward.
Autistic Fantasy: this defense mechanism is characterized by excessive daydreaming and retreating into an inner fantasy world as a method for coping with stress. It may replace real social interactions and behaviors with fantasies and daydreams, which can result in difficulties in dealing with problems and everyday life

Level 2. Major Image Distorting Defenses:

Splitting of Self-Image: this defense mechanism involves an individual viewing themselves in extremes, either all good or all bad, without recognizing the complexity and nuance of their own character. It’s a failure to integrate positive and negative self-aspects into a cohesive whole.
Splitting of Other’s Image: similar to splitting of self-image, this mechanism involves viewing others in black-and-white terms. A person employing this defense may idealize someone at one time (seeing the person as “all good”) and devalue them the next (seeing the person as “all bad”), without acknowledging the full spectrum of the individual’s traits.
Projective Identification: this is a complex defense mechanism where an individual not only projects their unwanted feelings, impulses, or traits onto another person but also induces the other person to identify with or actually experience these projected attributes. It’s a way of managing one’s own uncomfortable feelings by displacing them onto someone else, who then feels compelled to act them out.

Level 1. Action Defenses:

Passive-Aggression: this defense mechanism involves expressing negative feelings, such as anger or annoyance, indirectly rather than directly. It can manifest as procrastination, sullenness, stubbornness, or deliberate failure to accomplish required tasks
Help-Rejecting, Complaining: individuals who engage in this behavior often seek help or sympathy through complaining but then reject the assistance or advice offered to them. This can be a way to gain attention or express feelings of worthlessness without taking responsibility for change.
Acting Out: this is a strategy where an individual deals with emotional conflict or stressors by performing actions rather than consciously acknowledging and expressing the emotions. It can include behaviors like temper tantrums, fighting, or other forms of outward aggression (Murphy, 2021).

Immature Defense Mechanisms and Psychological Disorders

Studies and research has shown that the extensive use of immature, maladaptive defense mechanisms impacts mental health. “The use of immature and neurotic defense mechanisms was found to have significant relationship with stress, negative emotions, somatic complaints, avoidant personality trait, antisocial personality trait, mood disorder, panic disorder, personality disorder, alcohol use and anger” (Bedel, 2019).

The use of immature defenses in adults is concerning and often suggest deeper underlying unresolved issues.

Immature defense mechanisms are part of a broader range of psychological strategies known as defense mechanisms. Here are some related concepts in psychology to immature defense mechanisms:

Ego Defense Mechanisms: This is the overarching category that includes immature defense mechanisms. They are strategies that the ego employs to safeguard the individual from anxiety and to manage emotional conflict and external stressors.
Pathological Defense Mechanisms: These are considered the most primitive and are often associated with severe psychopathology. They can distort reality to a significant degree. Typically emotionally healthy adults do not use these strategies.
Neurotic Defense Mechanisms: These mechanisms are fairly common in adults and can cause short-term or long-term issues in relationships, work, or enjoyment of life. They may include intellectualization, rationalization, repression, and displacement.
Mature Defense Mechanisms: Psychologists consider these mechanisms the healthiest. Accordingly, we often associate them in emotionally healthy adults. They include altruism, humor, sublimation, suppression, and anticipation.
Adaptive Defense Mechanisms: These are positive tactics that individuals employ to reduce stress and anxiety. Consequently, they often lead to healthy outcomes. They can include the same mechanisms listed under mature defenses.

Therapies for Defense Mechanisms

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps individuals identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns associated with mechanisms like denial, encouraging a reality-based confrontation of these thoughts.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT emphasizes mindfulness and emotional regulation, assisting people with recognizing and adaptively responding to mechanisms such as projection.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT promotes acceptance and psychological flexibility, guiding people to notice their reliance on mechanisms like intellectualization and encouraging an open, non-judgmental acceptance of their emotions.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy addresses immature defense mechanisms by helping individuals become aware of these unconscious processes and understand their origins. The therapy delves into the client’s past experiences, particularly early childhood, to uncover the root causes of current psychological challenges.

These concepts are interconnected and play a role in how individuals cope with psychological stressors. Understanding these mechanisms can be beneficial in therapeutic settings to help individuals develop healthier coping strategies.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

In conclusion, immature defense mechanisms serve as the psyche’s covert operatives, working behind the scenes to shield us from emotional turmoil and psychological distress. While they may offer temporary respite, their overuse can lead to maladaptive patterns that hinder personal growth and interpersonal relationships. As we journey through the complex landscape of the mind, it is essential to recognize these mechanisms at play and to cultivate more adaptive strategies that promote resilience and emotional well-being.

Understanding and addressing immature defense mechanisms is not about self-reproach but about self-awareness and evolution. By embracing our vulnerabilities and transforming our defenses into strengths, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater flexibility and authenticity. Let us move forward with the knowledge that our minds are equipped with an array of tools. Accordingly, it is within our power to choose those defense that construct rather than constrict our lives.

May this exploration of the shadowy realms of defense mechanisms enlighten your path to psychological enlightenment and emotional harmony.

Last Update: June 7, 2025

References:

Araujo, K., Ryst, E., & Steiner, H. (2004). Adolescent Defense Style and Life Stressors. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 30(1), 19-28. DOI: 10.1023/A:1022666908235
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Bedel, A., (2019). The Role of Interpersonal Problem Solving in Using the Immature Defense Mechanisms in Adolescents. Universitas Psychologica. DOI: 10.11144/Javeriana.upsy18-5.rips PDF
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Cavalera, C., Andreani, P., Baumgartner, O., & Oasi, O. (2022). Do Immature Defense Mechanisms Mediate the Relationship Between Shame, Guilt, and Psychopathological Symptoms?. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.832237
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Freud, Anna (1937). The Ego and Mechanisms of Defense. Routledge; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 1855750384; APA Record: 1947-01454-000
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Murphy, T. Franklin (2021). Exploring Defense Mechanisms: Unraveling Hidden Protectors. Psychology Fanatic. Published: 2-4-2021; Accessed: 8-7-2022. Website: https://psychologyfanatic.com/defense-mechanisms/
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Murphy, T. Franklin (2021a). Reciprocal Determinism: A Key Concept in Social Learning Theory. Psychology Fanatic. Published: 12-4-2021; Accessed: 5-7-2025. Website: https://psychologyfanatic.com/reciprocal-determinism/
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