‘Principalization’ as a Defence Style Among Adolescents

Abstract

Principalization is a defence style which helps an individual to rationalize and alter reality by using different forms of principles. The study was conducted to compare adolescents in the age groups 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 years, with respect to adoption of ‘Principalization’ as a defence style. 1730 adolescents in the age group 13-17 years studying in the secondary and higher secondary schools of Kerala was the sample for the study. The findings revealed that adolescents in the age group 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 years, differ significantly with respect to adoption of ‘Principalization’ as a defence style. An increasing trend was observed in the adoption of ‘Principalization’ as a defence style among adolescents with increasing age levels. No significant difference was found among the subsamples of adolescents in the age group 13-17 years, with respect to gender and locale, in adoption of ‘Principalization’ as a defence style. Indian Journal of Psychology and Education Jan. 2017, Vol. 7, No. 1 pp 71-76