The self-protection mechanism is generallyunconsciousBut if we can use it consciously, we can make people live relatively easily in a new role.Although it has a side of self deception, it is indeed a weapon of psychological self maintenance and has a positive effect on mental health.
The self-protection mechanism is whenSelf-conceptWhen the stability of is threatened, people sometimes take self-protection measures to deal with it.
It can be seen from the processing mechanism that the above two self-protection methods have a wide range of applications and can effectively achieve some self related machine processes -“Self consistency”(also calledSelf verification, self verification) and self enhancement (Dunning, 1995; Pervin, 2001).Memory neglect and self immunity both show that individuals attach importance to their own advantages and despise their own disadvantages through appropriate manipulation of self related information, thus playing a protective role in self-concept.Among them, memory neglect is selective refining of information. On the basis of ensuring self consistency, its dominant motivation should be self enhancement: trying to find information to maintain and improve self-esteem;Self immunity is to strategically reassess information on the basis of accepting facts to ensure the dynamic stability of self-concept. Its motivation should be self consistency: trying toSelf cognitionSeek consistency with the information obtained, and the self enhancement that may accompany is only a by-product.It can be seen that both are reasonable and balanced strategies, which are effective "reality"optimism”Mode.
2 Future research direction
At present, there are still many problems to be solved in this field, among which the functional limitations of memory neglect and self immunity and the preconditions for such effects need to be further tested.
First, compared with other optional means of self-protection (such as denial, excuse, excuse, etc.), will memory neglect or self immunity play a role and become necessary only when these (priority) means are ineffective?The current research still needs empirical evidence.In addition, for the same information situation, what factors will determine whether individuals use memory neglect or self immune processing?For example, when a defect representing a specific skill is perceived as permanent rather than temporary, whether the immune function is more likely to play its basic role (e.g., short-term with ageMemory declineEtc.)?
Second, in real life, many individuals do not perform memory neglect or self immune processing, but actually and accurately process these threatening information to self-concept under the circumstances that trigger self-protection (such as exposure to negative self related information).For example, when teachers face some constructive criticisms about their own teaching ability, they are more inclined to remember these criticisms and attach great importance to them.These scenarios need to be paid attention to in future research.At present, a better explanation for this phenomenon is that when the subsequent function of such information is greater than the harm caused by its potential threat, people are more willing to pay attention to it. For example, teaching ability should be a plastic feature, so paying attention to this constructive criticism feedback can better promote self to improve their teaching ability through efforts.
Third, at present, there is an interpretable cognitive processing mechanism model of memory neglect, but as mentioned above, it needs to be improved;However, most of the self immunity phenomena were suspended for measurement research through self-assessment reports, and no more detailed experimental research was conducted from the perspective of processing mechanism. To solve such problems, it is necessary to further refer to the self representationcognitive theory , especially about self-evaluation, motivation, cognitive links between traits and skills.
Fourthly, after clarifying the influence of information characteristics on memory neglect and autoimmune processing, existing studies have also investigatedinformation receiver The differences of their own personality characteristics and emotional state at that time in the implementation of their self-protection mechanisms.Some studies have preliminarily shown that in terms of memory neglect, people with high self-esteem are more likely to have low self-esteem（Shi Wei，Huang Xiting，2007；Tian Lumei,Zhang Xiangkui, 2008), ego detractors who are prone to ego inflation (Green, Sedikides,&Gregg, 2008), repressors who are prone to sensitivity (Ashley&Holtgraves, 2003), depressed people who are prone to pleasure (Trope&Neter, 1994; Trope&Pomerantz, 1998);But there are also studies on the influence of emotional state at that time（Shi WeiHuang Xiting, 2008) drew inconsistent conclusions: the memory neglect effect of self-esteem is the result of trait self-esteem rather than temporary mood.In addition, in terms of self immunity, some studies (Greve, Enzmann,&Hosser, 2001) have concluded that if juveniles serving sentences have strong self immunity and adaptability, then their self-esteem stability is also strong.
Fifthly, the above-mentioned functions of the two self-protection methods did not mention the possible adverse effects of their actions.In fact, no matter the function of memory neglect or self immunity is not unlimited, this self-protection only allows to establish an effective connection between self stability and reality feedback within a certain range, and once this limit is exceeded, then an "extreme"The neglect or immunity of both will lead to individual functional disorders (manifested as clearly knowing their major weaknesses but not paying attention to or recognizing their importance), and breaking this stubbornness may be to achieve success for such individualspsychological intervention And the premise of treatment.Therefore, we should further discuss under what circumstances will memory neglect and self immunity reach their functional limits?Once the limit is exceeded, what will happen to its function, and how can individuals or psychological counselors respond effectively?
