What Is A Defensive Personality?

What is a defensive person like?

People who are acting defensively are essentially trying to protect themselves from feeling a certain uncomfortable way, and from viewing themselves as a failure or otherwise in a negative light.

In this light, all of your examples are potentially reasonable examples of defensive behavior.

What is getting defensive?

Someone on the defensive is concerned with justifying their actions or words. They have a defensive attitude as they try to protect themselves. If you know that to defend is to protect, you have an idea what defensive means. When a person is acting defensive, they’re trying to protect or justify themselves.

How can I stop being so defensive?

Stop Being So Defensive!

  • Name it. Defensiveness is that immediate kneejerk, “But, But…But…” response and a heightened sense of tension that may be activated when our partner says, “We have to talk.”
  • Breathe.
  • Don’t interrupt.
  • Don’t listen when you can’t.
  • Ask for specifics.
  • Find something to agree with.
  • Apologize for your part.
  • No buts.

Does defensiveness mean guilt?

When a person is defensive, that means that person wants to defend his or her position. It is definitely not a sign of guilt. Innocent until it is proven with arguments that someone is guilty, I think this should still be honored. The arguments someone uses can be based on the honest truth or on lies.

Do liars get defensive?


What is defensiveness in communication?

Defensive communication happens when a message triggers a sense of threat, and therefore defensiveness, on the part of the listener. Defensive communication involves not only the actual verbal message, but also body language, tone of voice and perceived meaning and intention as well.

How do you respond to criticism without being defensive?

6 Tips For Taking Criticism Gracefully

  1. Listen. The first response most of us have when it comes to even the best intended criticism is to become defensive.
  2. Ask questions. To grow, you want to make sure you fully understand the person criticizing you.
  3. Respond.
  4. Accentuate the positive.
  5. Own it.
  6. Write it down.
  7. Do something nice for yourself.

How can I communicate without being defensive?

Below are a few ways to communicate well without being defensive.

6 Ways To Communicate Without Being Defensive

  • Be Secure In Who You Are.
  • Stop Retaliating & Genuinely Listen.
  • Use “I” Statements.
  • Think Long-Term Instead Of Short-Term.
  • Learn How To Receive Criticism.

How do you accept criticism without being defensive?

14 Ways to Accept Criticism Without Being Defensive

  1. Actively Listen. Active listening means that you’re really hearing the feedback rather than just waiting for your turn to speak.
  2. Ask Questions.
  3. Understand Why Feedback is Important.
  4. Take Note.
  5. Follow Up.
  6. Understand the Other Person’s Point of View.
  7. Get in front of it.
  8. Surround Yourself with Frank People.

What are defensive behaviors?


How can I stop being so sensitive?

By following these simple strategies:

  • Honor your sensitivity.
  • Step back.
  • Block it out.
  • Tone it down.

How do I stop criticizing others?


  1. Think before you speak. Before you dish out criticism, pause and consider whether you really need to say anything at all.
  2. Be realistic. Critical people often have very high expectations of those around them.
  3. Depersonalize other people’s actions.
  4. Separate the individual from their actions.
  5. Focus on positives.

What does defensiveness mean in psychology?

A defensive personality is a symptom of brokenness. It’s a person deeply afraid that the words of another might steal their self-worth and affirm their fear of rejection. Words that might reveal a reality that they can’t handle. A defensive person is someone who can’t take another blow at their inner-value.

What are the signs of a guilty person?

12 signs of a guilty conscience

  • #1 They’re suddenly nice. They may overcompensate because of guilt.
  • #2 They can’t look you in the eyes.
  • #3 They accuse you.
  • #4 They can’t sleep properly.
  • #5 They’re avoiding you.
  • #6 They’ve suddenly lost their appetite.
  • #7 They make an effort for small talk.
  • #8 They suck up to you on social media.

How can you tell when someone lies to you?

In the excerpt below, the authors reveal six telltale signs someone is lying.

  1. Behavioral pause or delay. You ask a person a question and you initially get nothing.
  2. Verbal/non-verbal disconnect.
  3. Hiding the mouth or eyes.
  4. Throat-clearing or swallowing.
  5. Hand-to-face activity.
  6. Grooming gestures.