Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Process by which content is separated from repressed affect.
Intellectualization
A man attends anger management classes but states that 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
Ascetism
“I’m afraid of snakes, but I’m not sure why.”
Repression
Unacceptable feelings are expressed as the opposite.
Reaction Formation
Using plausible reasons to justify an action or opinion
Rationalization
A woman decides to become a psychologist because her mother is one.
Identification
Refusing to let into awareness unacceptable thoughts, feelings, emotions
Repression
A college student won’t eat or sleep unless his work is done.
Ascetism
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/Internalization
Placing unacceptable impulses from one person to another.
Projection
Displacing unacceptable instincts for constructive and socially acceptable behaviors.
Sublimination
Process by which we avoid being punished for undesirable thoughts or actions.
Undoing
“I’m going to stand up to the bully by being strong like my Dad.”
Introjection/Internalization
A man with a lot 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 up his room without being asked.
Undoing
Distorting reality and not acknowledging emotions or events.
Denial
Psychological defense mechanisms help the ego cope with:
Anxiety, frustration, and unacceptable impulses.
Psychological defense mechanisms help relieve tension between
inner psychological reality and the demands of the external world.
Denial, reaction formation, and projections are considered
Primitive defense mechanisms because they are the most out of touch with reality.
Sublimation, undoing, rationalization, displacement, identification, and intellectualization
Higher levels of functioning.
A defense process by which plausible reasons justify an action or opinion.
Rationalization
Rationalization helps a person cope with disappointments by
blaming external circumstances
Refuses to let into awareness unacceptable impulses but remains unconsciously operative in behavior.
Repression
When affect is transferred from one object to another.
Displacement
The process by which qualities of an external object are absorbed into one’s personality
Identification
A process by which content is separated from repressed affect.
Intellectualization
This defense mechanism is characterized by rigor and self-denial.
Asceticism
The process by which unacceptable impulses are expressed as their opposites.
Reaction Formation
The internalization of of outside events or characteristics of other people.
Introjection or Internalization
The placement of unacceptable feelings from the person feeling them onto another person.
Projection
The distortion of reality and does not acknowledge emotion.
Denial
The displacement of unacceptable instincts for constructive and socially acceptable behaviors.
Sublimation
The process by which we avoid being punished for undesirable thoughts or acctions.
Undoing
