Chapter 2 (extra) : Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
refusing to believe something that causes anxiety
denial
believing that an unacceptable feeling of one’s own belongs to someone else
(ex: self-isolating patient in a work group says the other patient’s won’t talk to him(
projection
making excuses for unacceptable behavior or feelings
ex: a teen says he didn’t do hw b/c he didn’t have right kind of paper
rationalization
conflicts turned into real physical symptoms
ex: girl w/ poor condition gets migraine when its time for volleyball
conversion
functioning at a more primitive developmental level than previously; going back to an immature pattern of behavior
(ex: 7 yr old who is hospitalized for major surgery begins to walk on tiptoes & suck thumb)
regression
trying to reverse the effects of what one has done by doing the opposite
(ex: patient accuses therapist of trying to run his life….later he brings flowers)
undoing
overestimating someone or valuing him or her more than the real personality and person seem to merit
(ex: a woman says that the group leader is the most handsome and kindest man in the world)
idealization
adopting the habits or characteristics of another person
ex: a teenage girl begins to wear her hair just like her therapist does
identification
unacceptable wishes channeled into socially acceptable activities
(ex: a child who wants to cut things up to see how they work grows up to be a surgeon)
sublimation
a realistic goal or object substituted for one that cannot be achieved
(ex: a young main fails the exam for the police department, then takes a job as a security guard)
substitution
efforts to make up for person deficits; this can also be a conscious effort
(ex: a women, blind from birth, learns to travel without a can or any other aid)
compensation
