Hi Tony, et al,
On defense mechanism you wrote:
"Namely, defense mechanisms distort one's perceptions. For
example, one can consider the labels for responses to anxiety:
intellectualization, denial, projection, rationalization, etc. All of
these defense mechanisms relate to perceptions (or misperceptions).
Similar to defense mechanisms in individuals, "organizational defensive
routines" limit the ability of the organization to respond with a wide
array of possible actions."
My thought is this:
If defense mechanisms are "distorting" perception, then that assumes that
there is an accurate "perception." There may be a single perception which
incorporates all the factors in a situation, but I'm not convinced that
any single individual has the ability to see it all at once. So I'm a
little uncomfortable with the psychodynamics school position that defense
mechanism "distort" perception. The defense mechanism is a part of the
perception, not separate from it.
I think that defense mechanisms often are the right and appropriate
response to the way things are. For example, "a knot in my stomach" as I
enter a meeting in which I do not know what will happen leads me to a
level of heightened anxiety, even fear, which makes me more attuned to
what is happening. If I suspect that I will be personally attacked during
the meeting, based on prior experience or information, my defense
mechanisms will be on red alert. I don't want to go in absolutely
vulnerable, open to whatever is thrown at me. Now, if my perception was
incorrect, then I'm not sure the defense mechanism distorted my
perception. My defense mechanism may be the response to an already
distorted perception of other's attitudes toward me. I think that there
are appropriate uses for defense mechanisms. The real question has to do
with the object of our defense, and whether our defensiveness is
appropriate to the situation.
Now a question for the list:
Can you identify appropriate uses of defense mechanisms, both for the
individual and the corporation?
And a peaceful and prosperous New Year to all,
Ed Brenegar
Leadership Resources
edb3@msn.com
--"Ed Brenegar" <edb3@email.msn.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>