Defense Mechanism

Question 1

Ignoring or refusing to acknowledge the reality of a threat

Answer 1

Denial

Question 2

Excusing or explaining away a threat

Answer 2

Rationalization

Question 3

Taking out hostility and aggression on other individuals rather than directing anger at the source of the threat

Answer 3

Displacement

Question 4

Keeping unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or actions from conscious awareness

Answer 4

Repression

Question 5

Returning to an earlier (less mature, more primitive) stage of behavior as a way of coping with a threat

Answer 5

Regression

Question 6

Minimizing anxiety by responding to a threat in a detached, abstract manner without feeling or emotion

Answer 6

Intellectualization

Question 7

Seeing one’s own unacceptable characteristics or desires in other people

Answer 7

Projection

Question 8

Expressing or behaving the opposite of what is really felt

Answer 8

Reaction formation

Question 9

Converting repressed feelings into socially acceptable action

Answer 9

Sublimation

Question 10

Making up for weaknesses by excelling in other areas

Answer 10

Compensation

Question 11

A person tries to cancel out or remove an unhealthy, destructive or otherwise threatening thought or action by engaging in contrary behavior.

Answer 11

Undoing