defensive behavior
Shielding oneself emotionally
Defensive behavior is conduct aimed at protecting oneself from perceived criticism, threat, or attack.
It includes deflecting blame, making excuses, becoming hostile, or shutting down emotionally.
The behavior often appears when someone feels their competence, integrity, or self-image is being questioned: His defensive behavior made it impossible to give him feedback.
In psychology, the term encompasses both conscious reactions and unconscious defense mechanisms.
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- shutting downEnding operation or activity
- guardingActively protecting something
- reaction formationMasking impulses with opposites
- fight-or-flight responsePhysiological reaction to danger
lashing out · repression · rationalization · displacement · denial · blocking · barricading · projection · compartmentalization · shielding · crossed arms · deflecting · sublimation · avoidance · passive-aggression · fortifying · intellectualization · cornered
- beekeepingbeekeeping, apiculture, beehive, hive, apiary
- herpetologyherpetology, taxonomy, reptile habitats, snake venom, thermoregulation
- colony behaviorswarming, foraging, division of labor, caste system, food storage
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- habitshabit, habits, bad habit, study habits, rituals
- instinctsinstinct, survival instinct, survival instincts, maternal instinct, gut instinct
defensive behavioropenness
Quality of being accessible
receptivity · vulnerability · open-mindedness · approachability · transparency
defensive behavioraggressive behavior
Hostile or threatening conduct
aggression · attacking · taking the initiative · assertiveness
defensive behaviortaking responsibility
accountability · contrition · self-reflection · humility · apologizing