It is popularly believed that as one ages defensiveness increases and becomes a stable aging trait. 44 psychiatric inpatients were divided into younger and older groups. Standard measures of defensiveness from psychological tests were used; Q and K scales of the MMPI, and the F% of the Rorschach. Intelligence was controlled. Results indicate that there are no differences between the younger and older groups. Among psychiatric elderly inpatients defensiveness does not appear characteristic. Implications are discussed.
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