Skip to Main Content

Psychology and Law
2021. Vol. 11, no. 2, 86–105
https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2021110207
ISSN: 2222-5196 (online)

Mechanisms of Psychological Defense and Dominant Defense Behavior of Convicts for Terrorist and Extremist Activities

 
Audio is AI-generated
547

, ,

PDF (RUS)
Online translation in english
GS
Information
in Google Scholar
Metrics

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the particularities of the defense behavior mechanisms among convicted for terrorist and extremist activities. A total of 469 convicts (351-for terrorist activities, 118 - for extremist activities) participated in the study. Life Style Index was used in order to reveal the defense mechanisms. The results allow us to talk about five types of defense: 1) dominance of projection and compensation defense mechanisms as means against the awareness of the negative and unacceptable personality qualities; 2) dominance of compensation in the profile indicates the desire to overcome a strong sense of inferiority; 3) dominance of reaction formation where unacceptable unconscious content is overcome by strengthening and development of exaggerated opposite trends; 4) dominance of intellectualization, where is the real action to remedy the anxiety and fears, the individual formulates an abstract of judgment, trying to get rid of one’s frustration; 5) dominance of denial, it refers to non-recognition, rejection of reality, displacement of thoughts, feelings, emotions from consciousness. In conclusion the potential of psychotherapeutic work is discussed.

General Information

Keywords: psychological defense mechanisms, convicts, terrorist and extremist activities, defense strategy, correction

Journal rubric: Penitentiary Psychology and Penal Practice

OpenAlex citations: 6

OpenAlex trends: Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence, Suicide and Self-Harm Studies, Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Information about the work in OpenAlex

Number of citations: 6

Topics

Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

This cluster of papers explores the multifaceted aspects of terrorism, including its causes, effects, and countermeasures. It delves into the psychology, sociology, and economics of radicalization, as well as the impact of terrorism on global politics, economies, and societies. The papers also examine the role of education, poverty, and political freedom in relation to terrorism.

Number of works: 105356  |  Total number of citations: 645425

Topic detailsв OpenAlex

Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

This cluster of papers focuses on the epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention strategies related to suicidal behavior, particularly among adolescents and young adults. It covers topics such as the interpersonal theory of suicide, psychological autopsy studies, non-suicidal self-injury, and the assessment of suicidal behavior. The research also delves into the global patterns of mortality, neurobiology, and the impact of various interventions in mitigating suicide risk.

Number of works: 109765  |  Total number of citations: 1794257

Topic detailsв OpenAlex

Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion

This cluster of papers explores the psychological effects of social exclusion, including ostracism, mortality salience, and the impact on self-esteem. It delves into neural responses to social pain, emotional reactions to rejection, and the role of terror management theory in understanding human behavior. The research also investigates the influence of social exclusion on cognitive processes, interpersonal relationships, and prosocial behavior.

Number of works: 23966  |  Total number of citations: 405760

Topic detailsв OpenAlex

Work details in OpenAlex

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2021110207

Published

For citation: Bovin, B.G., Kazberov, P.N., Bovina, I.B. (2021). Mechanisms of Psychological Defense and Dominant Defense Behavior of Convicts for Terrorist and Extremist Activities. Psychology and Law, 11(2), 86–105. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2021110207

© Bovin B.G., Kazberov P.N., Bovina I.B., 2021

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

References

  1. Blekborn R. Psikhologiya kriminal'nogo povedeniya [Psychology of criminal behavior]. Saint-Petersburg: Piter, 2004. 496 p. (In Russ.).
  2. Bovina I.B., Bovin B.G., Tikhonova A.D. Radikalizatsiya: sotsial'no-psikhologicheskiy vzglyad (Chast' I) [Radicalisation: A Social Psychological Perspective (Part I)]. Psikhologiya i pravo = Psychology and Law, 2020. Vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 120—142. DOI:10.17759/psylaw.2020100309. (In Russ.).
  3. Kazberov P.N., Bovin B.G. Obshchaya kharakteristika lits, osuzhdennykh za prestupleniya ekstremistskoy i terroristicheskoy napravlennosti [General characteristics of persons convicted of extremist and terrorist crimes]. Psikhologiia i pravo = Psychology and Law, 2019. Vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 36—53. DOI:10.17759/psylaw.2019090103. (In Russ.).
  4. Kernberg O.F. Tyazhelyye lichnostnyye rasstroystva. Strategii psikhoterapii. [Severe personality disorders. Psychotherapy strategies]. Moscow: Klass, 2016. 464 p.(In Russ.)
  5. Laplansh ZH., Pontalis ZH.-B. Slovar' po psikhoanalizu [Dictionary of psychoanalysis]. Moscow:Vysshaya shkola, 1996. 623 p. (In Russ.).
  6. Leybin V. M. Postklassicheskiy psikhoanaliz. Entsiklopediya [Postclassical psychoanalysis. Encyclopedia]. Moscow: Izdatel'skiy dom «Territoriya budushchego«, 2006. T.1. 472 p.(In Russ.)
  7. Mak-Vil'yams N. Psikhoanaliticheskaya diagnostika. Ponimaniye struktury lichnosti v klinicheskom protsesse [Psychoanalytic diagnostics. Understanding the structure of personality in the clinical process]. Moscow: Klass, 2015. 592 p. (In Russ.).
  8. Mokretsov A.I. Izbrannyye trudy [Selected Works]. Moscow:NII FSIN, 2010. 275 p. (In Russ.)
  9. Oganesyan S.S., Bovin B.G., Kazberov P.N., Dikopol'tsev D. Ye. Problema rasprostraneniya religioznogo ekstremizma v mestakh lisheniya svobody [The problem of the spread of religious extremism in prisons]. Vedomosti Ugolovno-ispolnitel'noy sistemy=Bulletin of the Criminal Executive System. 2019. № 3. pp. 51—59. URL: http://or.fsin.su/vedomosti/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=462214 (Accessed: 26.01.2021). (In Russ.).
  10. Psikhologiya krizisnykh i ekstremal'nykh situatsiy: individual'nyye zhiznennyye krizisy; agressiya i ekstremizm [Psychology of crisis and extreme situations: individual life crises; aggression and extremism] / Pod obshch. red. N. S. Khrustalevoy. Saint-Petersburg: Izd-vo SPBGU, 2016. 444 p. (In Russ.).
  11. Romanova Ye.S., Grebennikov L.R. Mekhanizmy psikhologicheskoy zashchity: genezis, funktsionirovaniye, diagnostika [Psychological defense mechanisms: genesis, functioning, diagnostics]. Mytishchi: Izdatel'stvo «Talant«, 1996. 144 p. (In Russ.).
  12. Talanov V.L., Malkina-Pykh I.G. Spravochnik prakticheskogo psikhologa [Handbook of a practical psychologist]. Moscow: Eksmo, 2003. 928 p. (In Russ.).
  13. Fenikhel' O. Psikhoanaliticheskaya teoriya nevrozov [Psychoanalytic theory of neuroses]. Moscow: Akademicheskiy Proyekt, 2005. 848 p. (In Russ.).
  14. 14.    Freyd A. Ego i mekhanizmy zashchity [Ego and defense mechanisms]. Moscow: Astrel', 2008.160 p. (In Russ.).
  15. Yurevich A. V. Metodologiya i sotsiologiya psikhologii [Methodology and sociology of psychology]. Moscow: Institut psikhologii RAN. 2010. 272 p. (In Russ.).
  16. Vaillant G.E. Theoretical hierarchy of adaptive ego mechanisms: A 30-year follow-up of 30 men selected for psychological health. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1971. Vol.24. P. 107—118.DOI:10.1001/archpsyc.1971.01750080011003

Information About the Authors

Boris G. Bovin, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Docent, Leading Researcher, Federal State Institution Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9255-7372, e-mail: bovinbg@yandex.ru

Pavel N. Kazberov, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Leading Researcher, Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2233-0230, e-mail: mr.kazberov@mail.ru

Inna B. Bovina, Doctor of Psychology, Research Director, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical and Legal Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9497-6199, e-mail: innabovina@yandex.ru

Metrics

 Web Views

Whole time: 2727
Previous month: 15
Current month: 13

 PDF Downloads

Whole time: 547
Previous month: 13
Current month: 9

 Total

Whole time: 3274
Previous month: 28
Current month: 22