Why do innocent people get defensive?
Asked by: Maggie Jacobi | Last update: September 20, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (62 votes)
It's essential to recognize that defensive behavior does not automatically indicate guilt or wrongdoing. Instead, defensiveness is often a natural response to perceived threats, regardless of whether the individual is actually guilty of the accusations.
Why do guilty people get defensive?
Defensiveness could be a sign of guilt, but not always. People get defensive when they are trying to block what they perceive as a threat. They feel they are being ``attacked'' and the walls automatically go up.
What is the root cause of being defensive?
When we feel attacked or criticized, our brain usually interprets it as a threat to our well-being. These events can activate defense behaviors known as the defense cascade. For example, threats can trigger the fight-or-flight response, leading to defensive reactions as a means of self-preservation.
What is the primary cause of defensive behavior?
"Humans have a primary psychological need to be valued and included by others, to feel that they are good and appropriate group members or relationship partners," says Associate Professor Woodyatt. "When people do something wrong this primary psychological need is threatened, driving a defensive response.
What is defensiveness a symptom of?
If someone points out a part of you that you want to change but feel helpless about, then you may respond in a defensive manner. A symptom of a mental health disorder. Sometimes, defensiveness is part of a larger mental health problem such as a personality disorder, eating disorder, etc.
Defensiveness: Psychology Behind Defensive Behavior
What trauma makes people defensive?
An example of defensive behavior stemming from trauma is when someone has been through abuse in the past and has a hard time trusting other people because of it.
What does defensiveness say about a person?
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.
What is the psychology behind defensive behavior?
Defensive behaviors are behaviors that result from a feeling of a perceived or actual threat. This type of response is considered a form of coping mechanism that can be used to distract an individual from feeling hurt or shamed. You can think of it as an adult form of the childish response “Nuh-uh—you are!”
When someone gets defensive, are they lying?
A person who lies is so scared of being caught that every defense mechanism kicks in when they're confronted about it. If you confront them with something that's bothering you, and they suddenly become too defensive, it means they're hiding something and you've been lied to.
Do defensive people have low self-esteem?
Individuals with defensive self-esteem score low on implicit measures of self-esteem (ISE) and high on explicit measures of self-esteem (ESE).
Why do people get defensive so quickly?
And it's normal to feel defensive. The amygdala, which is the part of the brain that constantly scans our environment for threats, cannot tell the difference between a psychological threat and a physical threat. Essentially, we get defensive because we don't feel safe.
What does the Bible say about defensiveness?
Jesus said, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28). Defensive people only know negative affirmation. Bless and affirm his gifts. Recognize that he believes his cause is right and just.
Is being defensive a toxic trait?
Some of what he found was the four most toxic behaviors in communication (criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling) and how they impact and disrupt our relationships.
How does an innocent person react when accused?
Emotional Upset
Tears or visible signs of distress can occur as the person feels deeply hurt by the baseless accusation. They might cry or show signs of anxiety and depression, reflecting the traumatic experience of being wrongly accused.
What is wrong with someone who is always defensive?
Defensive individuals often have control and power issues, and perceive anyone confronting them or holding them accountable as a threat. They are uncomfortable with feelings in general and managing their own.
Why do guilty people deflect?
We first learn deflection as children, when we lie about our actions to avoid getting in trouble, and this is actually a normal part of development. As adults, we can use deflection either consciously or unconsciously, and, in general, we deflect because we don't want to feel bad and take a blow to our self-esteem.
How do liars react when confronted?
Even when confronted about their lies, they might become defensive or change their stories. They often won't admit to their lies, and even if they apologize, it is not because they feel guilty. They will continue their lying patterns afterward.
Why do people get defensive when they know they're wrong?
Research from 2020 suggested that people use defensiveness to give themselves a break when they do something wrong. A person may become defensive because they're: misrepresenting or forgetting what occurred. deflecting blame onto others.
How do you know if someone is denying the truth?
Experts like Meyer say you can often find telltale signs in a person's word choice, speech patterns, and vocal quality. “Studies show that people who are overdetermined in their denial will resort to formal rather than informal language,” Meyer says in her TED Talk.
What personality type is defensive?
1 ISFJ stands for introverted, sensing, feeling, judging. This personality type is given the nickname "The Protector" or "The Defender," and for good reason.
What childhood trauma causes defensiveness?
Several traumas such as emotional and physical abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect showed positive and significant associations with several dimensions of current symptoms, and also with parental bonding and defensive styles.
When people get defensive are they guilty?
In interpersonal interactions, defensiveness is a common response when individuals feel attacked, criticized, or challenged. While defensiveness can be a natural reaction to perceived threats, it does not necessarily indicate guilt.
Is defensiveness a narcissistic trait?
One of the most prominent traits of narcissism is defensiveness.
Are defensive people insecure?
Having confidence in what you believe is essential in business. However, when someone gets defensive about their idea or point of view, it is usually a clear sign of insecurity.
Is defensiveness a red flag?
⛳ The Third Red Flag: Defensiveness
It's about making excuses for yourself, blaming your partner for everything that goes wrong, and refusing to cooperate — essentially using a lot of "yes, but" statements instead of "I'm sorry". Defensiveness is a way of deflecting responsibility or blame.