31. Psychological Phenomena Flashcards
A coping strategy used in an effort to protect the individual from feelings of anxiety; as anxiety increases and becomes overwhelming, the individual copes by using this to protect the ego and decrease anxiety
People behave or think in certain ways to better protect or “defend” their inner selves (personality and self-image). It is also how people distance themselves from a full awareness of unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Defense Mechanisms
Characterized by rigor (severe self-discipline), self-denial, and avoidance of all forms of in indulgence
Example: a college student who refuses to eat or sleep until a major homework assignment and project is completed
Asceticism
The refusal to accept reality or fact, acting as if a painful event, thought or feeling did not exist. Many people use this mechanism in their everyday lives to avoid dealing with painful feelings or areas of their life they don’t wish to admit
Example: a person who is a functioning alcoholic will often simply deny they have a drinking problem, pointing to how well they function in their job and relationships
Denial
The re-directing of thoughts feelings and impulses directed at one person or object, but taken out upon another person or object. People often use this mechanism when they cannot express their feelings in a safe manner to the person they are directed at
Example: a man who gets angry at his boss, but can’t express his anger to his boss for fear of being fired. He instead comes home and argues with his wife
Displacement
When a person loses track of time and/or person, and instead finds another representation of their self in order to continue in the moment. A person who uses this mechanism often loses track of time or themselves and their usual thought processes and memories. People who have a history of any kind of childhood abuse often suffer from this
Example: a child who experience trauma from abuse and daydreams or loses track of reality
Dissociation
Identifying with someone else and taking on their personality characteristics in order to solve some emotional difficulty and avoid anxiety
Example: a child who adopts the behaviors, mannerisms, values, and looks of their favorite idol
Identification
The overemphasis on thinking when confronted with an unacceptable impulse, situation, or behavior without employing any emotions whatsoever to help mediate and place the thoughts into an emotional, human context. Rather than deal with the painful associated emotions, a person might employ this mechanism to distance themselves from the impulse, event or behavior.
Example: a person who has just been given a terminal medical diagnosis, instead of expressing their sadness and grief, focuses instead on the details of all possible useless medical procedures
Intellectualization
Involve attitudes, behaviors, emotions, and perceptions that are usually obtained from influential or authoritative people in one’s life. They are neither digested nor analyzed; they are simply adopted as a part of one’s personality as concepts that one considers should be believed or behaviors that one thinks ought to be followed
Example: a dad telling his son “boys don’t cry”- this is an idea that a person might take in from their environment and internalize into their way of thinking and it becomes part of how they see the world
Introjection / Internalization
The misattribution of a person’s undesired thoughts, feelings, or impulses onto another person who does not have those thoughts, feelings or impulses. This mechanism is used especially when the thoughts are considered unacceptable for the person to express, or they feel completely ill at ease with having them
Example: a spouse may be angry at their significant other for not listening, when in fact it is the angry spouse who does not listen
Projection
Putting something into a different light or offering a different explanation for one’s perceptions or behaviors in the face of a changing reality
Example: a man who starts dating a woman he really likes and is suddenly dumped for no reason. He re-imagines the situation in his mind with the thought, “I knew she was a bitch all along”
Rationalization
The converting of unwanted or dangerous thoughts, feelings, or impulses into their opposites
Example: a woman who is very angry with her co-worker and does not like them who may instead be overly kind and generous toward them by putting on a fake smile
Reaction Formation
The channeling of unacceptable impulses, thoughts, and emotions into more acceptable ones. Refocusing such unacceptable or harmful impulses into productive use helps a person channel energy that otherwise would be lost or used in a manner that might cause the person more anxiety
Example: when a person has sexual impulses they would like not to act upon, they may instead focus on intense exercise. Also, when a comedian uses dark humor to talk about deep things in a light-hearted joke
Sublimation
The attempt to take back an unconscious behavior or thought that is unacceptable or hurtful
Example: after realizing you just insulted your significant other unintentionally, you might spend then next hour praising their beauty, charm and intellect.
Undoing
Occurs where cognitive tensions manifest themselves in physical symptoms. The symptom may well be symbolic and dramatic and it often acts as a communication about the situation
Example: a person’s arm becomes suddenly paralyzed after they have been threatening to hit someone else
Conversion
