Disturbed children's and adolescents' comprehension of psychological mechanisms of defense.

This study examined the role of Piagetian logical and analytical reasoning in the comprehension of psychological defense mechanisms among 26 emotionally disturbed boys. Participants assigned to one of three Piagetian cognitive stages, listened to vignettes depicting defensive behaviors of various degrees of logical and structural complexity. Results indicated that, although both within- and between-group performances were at variance with theoretical expectations, consistent age trends in the comprehension of defense mechanisms were observed.