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Regression, according to psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, is a defense mechanism leading to the temporary reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adult way. The defense mechanism of regression, in psychoanalytic theory, occurs when thoughts are temporarily pushed back out of our consciousness and into our unconscious.^[1]

Regressive behavior can be simple and harmless. A person may revert to an old, usually immature behavior to ventilate feelings of frustration. For example, an adult saying "I want to throw water balloons" is temporarily regressing to childlike behavior. Regression only becomes a problem when it is used frequently to avoid adult situations and causes problems in the individual's life.^[2]

A clear example of regressive behavior can be seen in J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye. Holden constantly contradicts the progression of time and the aging process by reverting to childish ideas of escape, unrealistic expectations and frustration produced by his numerous shifts in behavior. His tendencies to reject responsibility and society as a whole because he 'doesn't fit in' also pushes him to prolonged use of reaction formation, unnecessary generalizations and compulsive lying.

[edit] See also

• Repression
• Reaction formation
• Projection
• Rationalization
• Displacement
• Defence mechanism

[edit] Footnotes

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