The author proposes that defenses be considered a part of normal development, and she presents a general theory of the development of defenses. This book is divided into three parts: Part I is about theory, Part II concerns research, and the final part offers her new approach to measuring defenses.

Part I reviews the conceptual models of defense and discusses the development of denial, projection, and identification throughout the life span. The author hypothesizes that denial reaches its zenith during early childhood, with projection being more characteristic of later childhood and early adolescence. In her view, identification becomes prominent during late adolescence. Though many authors, like Cramer, have proposed a chronology of defenses, or specific development lines for the development of