Freud came across this theory by working with mentally ill patients. .
Secondly, defense mechanisms theory described the protection of a human being to avoid neglect feeling-anxiety (James, p504). Meaning that this theory is a response pattern that deals with problems. Human beings face various problems and issues in daily life and will use a defense mechanism as a way to protect them from stress. Mechanisms such as repression, rationalization, displacement, reaction formation, sublimation, projection and regression (James, 2010). For example, when a student asks a teacher to give him an extension for doing assignment, the professor refuses. So the student kicks a desk and speak some offensive words. In this case, the student uses movement to respond to his situation. He put his anger he received from the teacher to hit the desk. Defense mechanism is the displacement of diverting behavior or thought away from its natural target toward a less threatening target. Freud created the defense mechanisms theory based on his personal experience. When his daughter Anna was growing up, Freud discovered that Anna's reactions in her daily life had a repetitive method. After his observation of Anna's responses, he created the theory of defense mechanisms (James, 2010). However, every human being is individual and unique. There are many reasons to change a child's behavior, such as environment, parenting style, social culture. So defense mechanisms only describe how unique event may show a person's mind but not the real meaning or their personality. According to his theory, if one person encounters some trouble in their life, they will use different patterns to prevent personal damage so the depression or pressure of them would be transformed to other people or activities. For example, if someone wanted to apply to their favorite job; however, they missed the deadline to apply they would give an excuse like they did not like the job.
