Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Process by which content is separated from repressed affect
Intellectualization
A man attends anger management classes but states he doesn’t have a problem
Denial
“I didn’t have time to go to the gym because I had to make dinner for my kids.”
Rationalization
Characterized by rigor and self denial
Asceticism
“I’m afraid of snakes but not sure why”
Repression
Unacceptable feelings are expressed as their opposites
Reaction formation
Using plausible reasons to justify an action or opinion
Rationalization
A woman decides to become a psychologist because her mom is one
Identification
Refusing to let into awareness unacceptable thoughts, feelings and emotions
Repression
A college student won’t eat or sleep until all his work is done
Asceticism
When affect is transferred from one object to another
Displacement
A woman recently diagnosed with depression focuses on learning about the symptoms of depression instead of expressing her feelings
Intellectualization
Process by which qualities of an external object are absorbed into one’s personality
Identification
A boy is interested in a girl but acts aloof and disinterested when around her
Reaction formation
A father who lost his job finds himself yelling at his kids more often
Displacement
The “taking in” or “swallowing whole” a characteristic or trait of another person or outside events
Introjection
Placing unacceptable impulses from one person to another
Projection
Displacing unacceptable instincts for constructive and socially acceptable behaviors
Sublimation
Process by which we avoid being punished for undesirable thoughts or actions
Undoing
“I’m going to stand up to that bully by being strong like my dad”
Introjection
A man with alot of aggressive energy becomes a professional rugby player
Sublimation
A woman is unfaithful but accuses her husband of cheating on her
Projection
A teenager gets into a loud argument with his parents but then cleans his room without being asked
Undoing
Distorting reality and not acknowledging emotions or events
Denial
An angry supervisor is overly nice to his supervisor
Reaction formation.
Putting on a seatbelt before driving off because your mom always used to say to
Introjection
A highly anxious colleague complains about another colleague with anxiety
Projection
Eating unhealthy food despite a drs order to eat healthy to avoid diabetes
Denial
A personal is overly nice to a person she just insulted in her mind
Undoing
Speaking about a traumatic childhood as of reading a scripted story
Intellectualization
A young boy has a phobia of dogs but cannot remember the first time he was afraid of dogs.
Repression
A person with aggressive impulses becomes a boxing instructor
Sublimation
A man yelling at his spouse because he unable to express anger at his boss
Displacement
“Well, I’ll be better off at a different company.”
Rationalization
A young person deciding to follow in her fathers footsteps and become a lawyer
Identification
Refusing to eat or sleep until a major work project is complete
Asceticism
