Date of Award

Spring 2002

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology and Behavioral Sciences

First Advisor

Jerome Tobacyk

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between two psychological type dimensions (Extraversion-Introversion and Thinking-Feeling) and defense mechanism preferences. Psychological Type Theory was used as a conceptual framework for the generation of hypotheses. Specific hypotheses between the two psychological type dimensions and defense mechanism preferences were tested. Further, Extraversion-Introversion and Thinking-Feeling were combined, resulting in the formation of a quaternary personality model consisting of four groups (Introverted Thinking, Introverted Feeling, Extraverted Thinking, and Extraverted Feeling). Hypotheses that certain quaternary groups would display specific relationships with defense mechanism preferences were tested. To test hypotheses, 223 university students were administered the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator measure of psychological type and the Defense Mechanisms Inventory measure of defensive preference. Although some modest support for hypotheses was found (e.g., the Introverted Thinking group preferred Principalization defenses and the Extraverted Feeling group preferred Reversal defenses), on the whole, there was little support for the hypothesized relationship between the two psychological type dimensions and defensive preferences.

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