ABSTRACT

 The aim of this study is to identify presumptive relationships between: (a) the intellectual level and the complexity of the defense mechanisms, (b) the academic performance and the complexity of the defense mechanisms at the same level of intelligence, (c) the academic performance and the degree of defensiveness. and (d) sex differences and the complexity of the defense mechanisms and the frequency of their use. The results prove the existence of a strong relation between a higher academic level and an increased use of complex defense mechanisms (projection and identification). In the same time, these results  offer an experimental support for the idea that defense mechanisms have a stadial development, like other psychological processes (intelligence, moral judgment etc.).  The defense mechanisms appear to be information processing mechanisms having a defensive function; they are common to all humans and they are not influenced by academic success.

KEYWORDS: intelligence, defense mechanisms, academic performance.