wary. In turn, behavior usually results from the feeling, such as being sarcastic, giving someone the silent treatment, or being critical in return. Conflicting, positive or strongly held? Opposite. What triggers your fight or flight defenses? Instead of feeling worse about having these feelings, try not to compound the problem. I statements focus the conversation on you and what you feel, and will help you make your point without getting defensive. Not good by any measure, but not so bad that they were truly the bottom of the barrel. Defense industry, industry which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology. Are you unsure whether you have been engaging in defensive behavior? To be defensive is to react with an overprotective mentality so a situation that perhaps doesn't warrant it. sive di-fen (t)-siv d-fen (t)- 1 : serving or intended to defend or protect a defensive alliance 2 : resisting or preventing attack defensive behavior Of or relating to the effort to prevent an opponent from gaining points in a game or athletic contest. WebDefense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare. Nglish: Translation of defensive for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of defensive for Arabic Speakers. Remember this when you're thinking of burying issues under the rug instead of dealing with them. By growing your emotional intelligence and practicing effective communication and conflict resolution techniques, you may defuse a problematic situation with another and grow the relationships strength in the end. In the other case, there is a clear goal to your communication and an easy way for the other person to comply. Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Derek Mason will not return to the program in 2023 after a one-year stint with the Cowboys, he announced Thursday. You may have other aversive things you'd rather do than engage conflict, but doing so can reinforce healthy boundaries. How can I make this situation better?" Webadjective attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing synonyms: justificative, justificatory apologetic, excusatory offering or expressing apology adjective intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack defensive weapons a defensive stance Synonyms: antiaircraft c. Performed so as to avoid risk, danger, or legal liability: defensive driving; defensive medicine. Defense industry, industry which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology. Defensive stocks as a group have a higher Sharpe ratio than the stock market as a whole. Self-awareness is key for living life with intention and building healthy relationships. Understand that overly defensive behavior might be what is holding you back from a better version of yourself. But it's all about your recovery time: Holding onto a defensive attitude is a decidedly different way of approaching your relationship than recognizing that you're being defensive and letting it go. However, when you experience a conflict with someone whos defensive, it can negatively impact the conversation and its outcome. Your response to criticism (or how defensive you get) can depend on a few factors, namely temperament, history, and self-esteem. Research from 2020 suggested that people use defensiveness to give themselves a break when they do something wrong. While it might make sense that you feel defensive, that doesnt mean that you necessarily have to take action. Perhaps you feel stuck and unable to change your defensive behavior, even though it makes you feel worse in the long run. They are expected to wreak havoc with the Offensive Line on running plays by physically clogging up the gaps between the Center, Guards, and Tackles to prevent a running back from getting 1. In fact, you could even attend couples counseling to work on your communication as a couple. Why? When your energy is competitive, your tone might be misconstrued as aggressive or uncooperative, which may cause a defensive persons guard to go up. To save this word, you'll need to log in. But if you find that either you or your partner is always on guard, waiting on the front lines to pounce into a defensive mode of communicating, it can be deeply harmful to the relationship. Webused to protect someone or something against attack: These are purely defensive weapons, not designed for attack. Showing empathy and concern toward someone who is responding in a defensive manner is better than being defensive yourself. However, to help your relationships, its essential to understand why some may become defensive and how best to approach them. self-protective. We view their actions, intentions, and language through the lens of our positive vision. Some people have nervous systems that respond more frequently and intensely to sensory stimulation. To save this word, you'll need to log in. Which of the 12 Relationship Patterns Best Describes Yours? How do you physically and emotionally react to the situation and to other peoples reactions? We so often emphasize the importance of expressing anger and complaints, but seldom are we taught how to cope with being on the receiving end. Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks. If you are struggling with defensiveness and cant seem to get control of it on your own, you may wish to invest in therapy or counseling to work on the issue. You are not the only one to feel this way, and your reactions are perfectly normal. 1. Webdefensive adjective (PROTECTING) used to protect someone or something against attack: These are purely defensive weapons, not designed for attack. Best of all, you can do this even without directly confronting the criticism at hand. In addition, its generally a good idea to remain open-minded to the ideas and perspectives of others. a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways, designed for defense from a surface position against air attack, designed for defense against armored vehicles, attempting to or designed to prevent an opponent from winning or scoring, intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind, for the purpose of attack rather than defense, having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends, designed to inflict death or personal injury rather than material destruction, designed for or consisting of a brief attack followed by a quick escape, characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding. Defense mechanisms associated with borderline personality disorder. If you know that to defend is to protect, you have an idea what defensive means. The first step to stopping your defensive behavior is to actually become aware of when it is happening. To get better at communication, try practicing first in low-stakes situations or imagining how you would like to communicate before a situation takes place. That is a strong argument that defensive stocks are objectively better investments than other stocks. While its true that each person is responsible for their own feelings and reactions, how you choose to communicate can also set the stage for how they react. The feeling is typically elicited when you feel as though someone is being critical of you, and results in shame, sadness, and anger. Weve talked a lot about what to do if you are defensive and how to be less defensive. Friction can be necessary, and even healthy at times. Getting defensive with friends, your boss, your partner, and yourself often backfires. The Defensive Tackle (DT) is a hybrid of athleticism and size because of its dual responsibilities. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchad free! In the moment, getting defensive can feel like the only way to cope with threat. What do you call a defensive person? Yet withdrawal and disconnection are what continue to create trouble. Getting defensive with friends, your boss, your partner, and yourself often backfires. How to communicate your feelings, emotions, and needs. Teams using DTs generally have two on the field at a time. This could mean the difference for you in terms of improving your communication skills and managing your defensive reactions. At that age, the feedback you got from teachers, coaches, and friends made a huge impact. Lets take a look at some of the common signs that you might be acting in a defensive way.. A slightly awkward pause buys you time and, as a bonus, throws them off their game. Someone has to worry about paying the bills, and someone has to have just enough, Youve heard it all before, so Im probably not telling you anything new. This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features. You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Below are some ideas of actions that you could take that would prevent you from acting defensively in the future: Do you have a good idea of when you are most likely to become defensive? They have a defensive attitude as they try to protect themselves. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. 2005-2023 Psych Central a Red Ventures Company. For example, is there a more significant issue youre not seeing? Plus, no one can argue with your opinion or your feelings. Remember, when it comes time to protest, be sure your complaint is stated considerately enough not to punish or shame your loved one. They may have a more exaggerated startle response than other people do, even in the same family. 2 Types of Procrastination, Adrift in Love: The 3 L's of Failing Relationships. Theres a reason why they call it disarming someone with your charm. David Susman, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist with experience providing treatment to individuals with mental illness and substance use concerns. Getting defensive with friends, your boss, your partner, and yourself often backfires. Collaboration can allow the two of you to work together to find a solution where you can meet both of your needs, without compromising them. Okay, you say, that's all fine and goodI can affirm my deepest values, interpret feedback as the fact that others believe in me, and trust that I can grow. Continuing to rehash problems for the sake of arguing is not effective communication. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety.". Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks. How do you sit calmly and quietly while your partner laments that you're neither emotionally available nor trustworthy? Ask yourself these questions, and find a way to find inner peace during criticism so you won't react defensively. Of course, it's difficult to give and receive healthy criticism if we're clinging to a defensive attitude. How do you silence your inner-lawyer's constant stream of counterarguments? The objective (whether you realize it or not) is to shift attention to the faults of the other person, so that in turn you feel better about yourself in the moment. What Is Quiet Borderline Personality Disorder? To be defensive is to react with an overprotective mentality so a situation that perhaps doesn't warrant it. Thats why driver safety training is so important. What. Did you present a defensive reaction yourself, sparking anger in the other? The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word. Defensive behavior is aggressive or submissive behavior in response to what a person perceives as a threat. Haganah (Hebrew for "The Defence"), a paramilitary organization in British Palestine. So how does this apply to you? b. Defensive stocks are stocks that generate relatively stable performances regardless of the market cycle. Of or relating to defense. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. How many can you get right? Aiming to justify or excuse oneself or one's actions. You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge.Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Learn a new word every day. Webdefensive See definition of defensive on Dictionary.com adj. The affirmation increased all students likelihood of handing in a revision and increased the quality of their final draft. . However, if they are not in line with the person you want to be or the behavior that you want to display, then there is nothing wrong with working on changing how you react. They may often hear themselves described as "too sensitive" or "thin-skinned." Often backfires better version of yourself moment, getting defensive can feel the! Or `` thin-skinned. a huge impact sit calmly and quietly while partner! 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