Other Approaches to Measuring Defenses: Derived Questionnaires, Self-Report Inventories, and Self-Other Ratings

Abstract

In the previous chapter, the Defense Mechanisms Inventory (DMI), the most widely used single approach to measuring defense mechanisms, was discussed. This chapter considers methods based on a structured inquiry and a structured response format. In the first section, defense measures that have been derived from existing personality inventories are presented. These measures were constructed through the selection of questionnaire items that have been empirically shown to relate to an independent criterion of defense use. In the second section, inventories that require the individual to self-report on the use of defense or defense-derivative behaviors are discussed. In the third section, measures that are based on the comparison of ratings of self with ratings of others are reviewed. The substantive findings yielded by these three approaches are summarized in Chapter 10.