Children's use of defense mechanisms in reaction to displeasure caused by others.
Two groups of children (mean ages = 7-0 and 10-1) were presented with eight video vignettes depicting unpleasant child-related situations. The child's defensive reaction was evaluated by means of an open-ended free response and by choice of one of four response alternatives: turning against the object, turning against the self, projection, and reversal. Sex- and age-related differences were predicted, and found in the younger age group: Boys chose turning against the object more often than did girls, who chose reversal more often than did boys.
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011385:Projection; D012737:Sex Factors