Each person uses one or another mechanism of psychological defense, their analysis is carried out according to the method of Plutchik and Kellerman. The questionnaire is a collection of 97 statements with which you must either agree or disagree. Consider what a life index is and how to use it.
The concept
Protection mechanisms most often operate in a person’s subconscious; he does not realize that he is using one or another of them. Moreover, the life style index means the totality of the psychological defense mechanisms used by the individual, aimed at reducing emotional tension and organizing behavior. The study of the concept in psychology began a long time ago, but only thanks to the Plutchik and Kellerman questionnaire it becomes possible to conduct a complete diagnosis of all the individual defense mechanisms.
How to conduct a survey
In order to identify the vital index and find out what self-defense mechanisms are used by an individual, it is necessary to give answers to questions, or rather, agree or disagree with the statements made. The answer should be true, otherwise the study will lose its objectivity. It is important to know that there is no right or wrong answer, for each individual person the value of the indicators may be completely different from the results of other respondents.
Main mechanisms
When analyzing the Plutchik and Kellerman life style index, one can identify an individual using one of 8 protection methods. Information on them is presented in the table.
Psychological self-defense mechanismsName | a brief description of |
Negation | A person refuses to accept information that disturbs it or can lead to conflict (in other words, it does not notice the problem). |
crowding out | A person displaces (transfers to the level of the subconscious) those of his actions and qualities that seem to her unseemly. |
Regression | The person seeks to avoid anxiety by returning to the earlier stages of his development. In other words, in a difficult situation, she will tend to behave like a child. |
Compensation | An attempt to replace the flaw with an imaginary virtue. |
Projection | Negative qualities are carried outside, attributed to someone else. |
Substitution | Suppression of emotions, replacing them with others. |
Intellectualization | The desire to overcome the conflict without emotions. A person logically explains his behavior. |
Reactive formations | The person tries to explain his actions with reasons completely opposite to the real ones. |
These are the basic mechanisms of psychological defense of the personality, forming its life index.
How to use the result
Consider how in real life knowledge of the life style index according to Kellerman and Plutchik will help. According to the researchers, the most constructive defense mechanisms include:
- rationalization;
- compensation.
If used, the likelihood of conflict will be minimized.
On the contrary, they are recognized as the most destructive
If you have high ratings on the scale of "Denial", you should pay attention to the following points: such a person does not accept criticism, seeks attention at any cost, needs constant praise. Such a person is extremely proud, optimistic, distinguished by high self-esteem and does not see any shortcomings in himself.
If the predominant mechanism of self-defense is repression, then such an individual will transfer to the sphere of the subconscious those actions and character traits that seem to him inappropriate. Most often, such a mechanism is inherent in a person who has previously received serious psychological trauma.
With the predominance of a regressive mechanism of protection for an individual, the following features are characteristic:
- In a stressful situation, he begins to behave like a child.
- He will strive to shift the responsibility to someone close to him, hoping that his problem will be resolved.
- It is often capricious and unreasonably stubborn.
If compensation is one of the predominant mechanisms, then the person will strive for the ideal, dream of fame and fortune, with all his might prove something else.
The projection involves exaggerating other people's flaws, rejection of narcissistic personalities in which competitors are seen. Such a person seeks to be in the center of attention and does not like those who desire the same.
A person who uses substitutional protection, inherent suicidal tendencies and misanthropy, often such people are aggressive and breakdown on loved ones.
With the intellectualization of personality, the ability to persuade, reason sensibly is inherent; such people give the impression of indifferent and cold-blooded in any situation.
Finally, in reactive formations, the individual hides his true face with all his might, masking aggressiveness by ostentatious virtue and humility.
Knowing the mechanisms of psychological defense and the life index of yourself and your loved ones will help to avoid conflict situations. However, it is important to remember that self-completion of the questionnaire and analysis of the results obtained allow only approximate data to be obtained. For a more accurate result, consult a specialist.