Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Acting Out

Answer 1

Using actions rather than reflections or feelings during periods of emotional conflict
Example: A teenager gets mad at his parents and begins staying out late

Question 2

Altruism

Answer 2

Dedicating life to meeting the needs of others (either receives gratification either vicariously or from the response of others)
Example: After being rejected by her boyfriend, a young girl joins the Peace Corps

Question 3

Denial

Answer 3

Refusing to acknowledge some painful aspect of external reality or subjective experience that would be apparent to others

Question 4

Dissociation

Answer 4

Experiencing a breakdown in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, perception of self or the environment, or sensory and motor behavior

Question 5

Help-Rejecting

Answer 5

Complaining or making repetitious requests for help that disguise covert feelings of hostility or reproach towards others, which are expressed by rejecting suggestions, advise, or help that others offer
Example: A college student asks a teacher for help after receiving a bad test grade, Each suggestion is rejected by the student

Question 6

Humor

Answer 6

Emphasizing the amusing or ironic aspects of the conflict or stressor

Question 7

Idealization

Answer 7

Attributing exaggerated positive qualities to others

Question 8

Intellectualization

Answer 8

Excessive use of abstract thinking or the making of generalizations to control or minimize disturbing feelings
Example: After rejection in a romantic relationship, the rejected explains the relationship dynamics to a friend

Question 9

Passive Aggression

Answer 9

Indirectly and unassertively expressing aggression toward others. There is a facade of overt compliance masking covert resistance, resentment, or hostility.

Question 10

Projection

Answer 10

Falsely attributing to another one’s own unacceptable feelings, impulses, or thoughts

Question 11

Reaction Formation

Answer 11

Substituting behavior, thoughts, or feelings that are diametrically opposed to one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feelings ( usually occurs in conjunction with their repression)

Question 12

Repression

Answer 12

Expelling disturbing wishes, thoughts, or experiences from conscious awareness (subconsciously) (the feeling component may remain conscious, detached from its associated ideas)

Question 13

Splitting

Answer 13

Compartmentalizing opposite affect states and failing to integrate the positive and negative qualities of the self or others into cohesive images

Question 14

Sublimation

Answer 14

Channeling potentially maladaptive feelings or impulses into socially acceptable behavior

Question 15

Suppression

Answer 15

Intentionally avoiding thinking about disturbing problems, wishes, feelings, or experiences