The Relation between Defense Styles and Mechanisms with Brain/Behavioral Systems

When we are studying about defense mechanisms, we noticed that human thinking is not always logical, objective and purposeful. Defense mechanisms, that responsible for ego protective to anxiety, may normal or abnormal functions under the effect of brain/behavioral systems. This study investigates correlation between defense styles and mechanisms with brain/behavioral systems. Randomly selected 214 female university students in Tehran, with a mean age of 25.75(SD= 3.27) completed Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) and Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). The data was analyzed using Pearson Correlation and Regression analysis. Results showed that behavioral activation system has not significant correlate with any of the defense styles but its components; active avoidance has significant (p<0.05) positive relationship with sublimation and anticipation and it has significant (p<0.05) negative relationship with intellectualization and projection. Behavioral inhibition system and components; inactive avoidance has significant (p<0.01) negative relate with mature style and significant (p<0.01) positive relate with immature style. According to this finding can be concluded that people with active behavioral inhibition system uses more immature defense mechanisms.