Ego Defenses and Perceptual Styles

Abstract
This study explored similarities between Voth's personality construct (ego-close—ego-distant) and that of Witkin (field-dependent—field-independent), especially with reference to ego defenses. A measure of autokinesis, the Figure-drawing Test, the Rod-and-frame Test and the Defense Mechanisms Inventory were administered to 45 men and 52 women. The correlations between autokinetic scores and the Figure-drawing Test and Rod-and-frame Test scores were of low order and not significant. Correlations between Figure-drawing and Rod-and-frame Test scores and between combined Figure-drawing—Rod-and-frame scores and the subcategories of the Defense Mechanisms Inventory tended to confirm previous findings. Predicted relations between the autokinetic effect and ego defenses were obtained only for men. Other significant sex differences are presented. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.

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