In "defense" of defense mechanisms: A reply to Locke's comments

Abstract

A previous article by E. A. Locke (see PA, Vol. 49: Issue 1) raised 4 questions regarding the defense mechanism study of H. R. Bobbitt and O. Behling. In the present article these authors reply to Locke's questions and reiterate the idiosyncratic nature of F. Herzberg's definition of defense mechanisms and the need for further research in terms of the protection of one's self-concept as a defense mechanism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)