The Psychological Record

, Volume 13, Issue 1, pp 15–25 | Cite as

A syllabus of the exoskeletal defenses

  • John A. Popplestone
Article
First Online:

Abstract

This theoretical paper generalizes certain diverse forms of behavior as exoskeletal defenses—a modification or enhancement of the body that subsidizes the psychological integrity of the person. This maneuver is one of armoring the self by strengthening the body (body building, food fads), emphasizing the sexuality of the body (cosmetics, clothing, tattooing), or equipping the body with indices of invulnerability (amulets, tattoos, possessions, etc.). Exoskeletal defenses are interpreted as emerging from a perception of externality as threatening, as being consciously adopted to meet this press, and as having the advantage of being socially acceptable. They are contrasted with the classical defenses.

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Copyright information

© Association of Behavior Analysis International 1963

Authors and Affiliations

  • John A. Popplestone
    • 1
  1. 1.The University of AkronUSA

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