Regression is one of the Major Freudian Defense Mechanisms that humans use in order to minimize a memory. Regression is when one returns psychologically to a younger age. People often do this because a younger age is often thought of as when life was much less complicated. People do many different things when using this defense mechanism but the most common example is when people hold onto items that remind them of their childhood for a long time. I find myself using this defense mechanism often when listening to music. Different songs will bring me back to different memories in my life and I can sometimes find comfort in these memories by recalling a happy moment in my life. Some songs subconsciously make me feel like a kid again and I often listen to them still today. There are also many things that I keep with in my room that remind me of different moments and memories throughout my life. I feel that this is an incredibly common defense mechanisms as many people like to savor things that take them to a younger age and memory for the past.
(People may enjoy movies from childhood such as the Lion King cause they subconsciously are brought to a time when they were a kid.)
Regression as Defense Mechanism
We both can probably agree that regression is probably the most commonly used defense mechanism especially for college age students. This is mostly because in my opinion, nostalgia is one of the most powerful human emotions and can have great impact on us, especially when we're making the transition into adulthood and the real world. Nostalgia basically keeps us sane.
I agree with the comments above. I also use music to remember things of the past. But I never did think of them as defense mechanisms. Another thing, although obvious, I always look at pictures of the past as to remember those moments.
Great job! I totally agree with you about listening to music! I can specifically remember being in a certain place and a certain time when listening to a song that was popular when i was younger. I never thought of this as a defense mechanism either so that is very interesting!
This is very interesting, but would you say that listening to music and songs that are from your past is more of deja vu or regression? I listen to a lot of music that brings me back to my childhood, but I wouldn't really consider it regression because I'm not really looking to get rid of any memories. But this is definitely a interesting topic!
I think it's topic is very interesting. I do find myself enjoying watch Disney movies from my childhood. I love watching them and thinking back and signing along like when I was a kid. I never realized that this could be regression. I don't know if I'm doing this to get rid of other movies but it could be my subconscious.
That's very interesting that you thought of music and movies. Whenever thinking of regression I thought of the thumb sucking example and just merely thought of physical habits that we resort back to. I would agree that music is a successful tool for regression. We can really become lost in a song and it can get us in a comfort zone.