Defense mechanisms in psychology today - Further processes for adaptation

Although the concept of the defense mechanism was rejected from academic ps ychology for a number of years, recent empirical studies show renewed inter est in defenses. Cognitive psychologists have confirmed the existence of un conscious psychological processes, a requisite for defenses. Developmental, personality, and social psychologists have all found evidence for defense mechanisms that explicate psychological functioning. The relevance of this new information for clinical practice is discussed.