The use of the TAT in measuring defense mechanisms

The development of the concept of defense mechanisms made it possible to unfold the etiology of a number of puzzling psychiatric symptoms. Where everyday, nonpathological behaviors are believed to be based on some modest distortions of reality. Projective measures are the direct continuation of Freud's notion that defensive mechanisms can be detected when the individual is unaware of them. Among different measures of defenses, Cramer's Defense Mechanism Manual (DMM) for the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943) might be one of the most valid and reliable assessment tools.;The general purpose of this study was to further validate the DMM. According to theory, the use of defense mechanisms should be intensified when the individual is experiencing stress or anxiety. Two groups were randomly formed: an experimental and a control group. The same six TAT cards were shown to all participants. Anxiety producing stimuli were introduced to the experimental group in the middle of the TAT administration. As an outcome of the elevated anxiety, subjects were expected to defend more on the second half of the TAT administration then they did on the first half, before the introduction of the anxiety provoking stimuli. If the DMM is a valid measure of the defense mechanism, it should be able to pick up on differences between groups as well as within groups.;The results of this study support the hypothesis that the use of defense mechanisms will increase in the experimental group as measured by the DMM after the introduction of anxiety stimuli. Due to the fact that the DMM was able to measure the differences before and after the introduction of anxiety provoking stimuli, it is concluded that DMM is a valid measure of defense mechanisms.