Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Expressing unacceptable feelings through actions

Answer 1

Acting out

Question 2

Adopting behaviors/attitudes/ beliefs of a group or person perceived to have more power

Answer 2

Identification

Question 3

Transferring feelings to less threatening object/person

Answer 3

Displacement

Question 4

Focusing on nonemotional aspects to avoid distressing feelings

Answer 4

Intellectualization

Question 5

Avoiding conflict by expressing hostility covertly

Answer 5

Passive aggression

Question 6

Attributing one’s own feelings to others

Answer 6

Projection

Question 7

Justifying behavior to avoid difficult truths or taking responsibility

Answer 7

Rationalization

Question 8

Transforming unacceptable feelings/impulses into the opposite

Answer 8

Reaction formation

Question 9

Involuntarily reverting to earlier developmental stage

Answer 9

Regression

Question 10

Experiencing a person/situation as either all positive or all negative

Answer 10

Splitting

Question 11

Channeling impulses into socially acceptable behaviors

Answer 11

Sublimation (Mature)

Question 12

Voluntarily putting unwanted feelings aside to cope with reality

Answer 12

Suppression (Mature)

Question 13

Involuntarily withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness

Answer 13

Repression

Question 14

Voluntarily remaining at a more childish/ immature state

like throwing a tantrum

Answer 14

Fixation

Question 15

thinking something bad and then doing the exact opposite to feel better

Answer 15

Undoing

Question 16

Ignoring or minimizing the necessary truths (or treatments) regarding a stressor

Answer 16

Denial