Monika Estermann

Uwe Hentschel

Goethe-Gesellschaft Berlin e.V.

Udo Eisner

Volker Hesse

Beate Schubert

Weltbürger Goethe

Juris G. Draguns

Gudmund J.W. Smith

Wolfram Ehlers

What is the scientific status and the "truth value" of the concept of defense mechanisms? Among contemporary psychologists, three types of answers to this question may be expected. Some would wholeheartedly endorse the theoretical, clinical, and research value of this notion; others would reject it outright. Between these two extremes, a large number of observers, perhaps the majority, would suspend their judgment. Their attitude, compounded of hope and doubt, would capitalize on defense as an interesting and promising concept. At the same time, these psy chologists would express skepticism and disappointment over its clinical limitations, theoretical ambiguity, and research failures. The present volume is primarily addressed to the audience of hopeful skeptics-those who have not given up on the notion of defense, yet have been frustrated by the difficulties of incorporating it into the modern, streamlined structure of psychology. To this end, we have brought together theoretical and empirical contributions germane to defense together with reports about their applications to clinical and personality assessment, especially in relation to psychopathology, psychosomatics, and psycho therapeutic intervention.

Theoretical, Research, and Clinical Perspectives

The Concept of Defense Mechanisms in Contemporary Psychology

Uwe Hentschel

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