Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
How to recognize and address maladaptive coping strategies that individuals may employ unconsciously to protect themselves from psychological discomfort or stress.
A nurse is caring for a client who smokes and has cancer. The client reports, “I’m coughing because I have that cold that everyone has been getting”.
Denial
A nurse is counseling a client for the management of anxiety. The client is consistently late for appointments and ignores household chores. The client states, “I’m just too stressed. I need to be taken care of.” The nurse identifies this behavior as an example of what defense mechanism?
Regression
A nurse at a college campus mental health counseling center is caring for a student who just failed an examination. The student spends the session berating the teacher and the course. The nurse should recognize this behavior as an example what defense mechanism?
Projection
A person having an extramarital affair gives no thought to the possibility of pregnancy.
Denial
After breaking up with with her boyfriend of 4 years, Susan curls up in a fetal position and rocks from side to side, refusing to leave the bed.
Regression
An individual clearly and confidently communicates their needs, boundaries, or opinions in a respectful manner during a group discussion or decision-making process.
Self-Assertion
Due to the pressure of college, Tom starts sucking his thumb - a childhood habit
Regression
A school girl wants her mother to buy her the same kind of shoes her classmates are wearing; she angrily rejects the idea that she is trying to be like the other girls and insists that the shoes are truly the best available and are the style she has always wanted.
Identification
A married woman who is disturbed by feeling attracted to one of her husband’s friends treats him rudely.
Reaction Formation
A man violently dislikes an employee; without being aware of doing so, he “bends over backwards” to not criticize the employee and gives him special privileges and advances.
Reaction Formation
A student states, “I failed because my teacher hates me.”
Projection
A spouse angry at significant other for not listening, when in fact, it is the individual who is making the accusation who is not listening.
Projection
Someone who suffers from OCD and washes his hands in the bathroom sink dozens of times per day for weeks but never cleans the bathroom itself or notices how dirty his bathroom has become over time.
Compartmentalization
A person’s treatment for cancer makes him lose his hair so he makes jokes about being bald.
Sublimation/Humor
“I had sex with her but I’m devoted to my wife.”
Compartmentalization
An older man who was functioning fine, wakes up one day unable to walk after attending his son’s funeral a month prior.
Somatization
Two close friends have a violent argument; when they next meet, each acts as if the disagreement had never occurred.
Undoing
A person takes time to introspect about their actions, thoughts, and emotions after a challenging situation to gain insights, learn from the experience, and consider how they can improve in the future.
Self-Reflection
A husband who showers his wife with roses and chocolates on Valentine’s Day may be unconsciously seeking to undo a year of neglect.
Undoing
Using a punching bag to channel angry impulses or becoming active in contact sports (like boxing or football).
Sublimation
A sales man is angered by his superior but suppresses his anger; later, on return to his home, he punishes one of his children for misbehavior that would usually be tolerated or ignored.
Displacement
Suddenly being dumped by somebody she was really interested in states “I don’t care, I suspected he was a loser all along.”
Rationalization
A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events, but has trouble forming relationships.
Repression
When you get mad at your sister, you break your drinking glass by throwing it against the wall.
Displacement
“I always study hard for tests and I know a lot of people who cheat so it’s not a big deal if I cheat this time.”
Rationalization
A student goes on vacation worried that she may be failing; she decides not to spoil her holiday by thinking of school.
Suppression
A woman makes an embarrassing comment at a party; she makes an effort to forget all about it.
Suppression
A woman is forced to undertake a restrictive diet; she becomes interested in painting and does a number of still life pictures, most of which include fruit.
Sublimation
A young man who did not complete high school becomes a professional body builder.
Compensation
A person volunteers at a local homeless shelter regularly, dedicating their time and effort to help those in need without expecting anything in return.
Altruism
A youth with residual muscle damage from poliomyelitis becomes an athlete.
Compensation
The process of distancing ourselves from a full awareness of unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Defense Mechanisms
