Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Refusal to accept reality because of the emotional pain it causes

Answer 1

Denial

Question 2

Running away from problems through daydreams, books or excessive sleep

Answer 2

Escape or Fantasy

Question 3

An attempt to justify one’s actions with an excuse.

Answer 3

Rationalization

Question 4

An attempt to protect one’s feelings or self-esteem by blaming others. Casting the feelings you
have onto another person

Answer 4

Projection

Question 5

Unconsciously forgetting information that is too painful to recall

Answer 5

Repression

Question 6

The conscious holding back of thoughts or feelings

Answer 6

Suppression

Question 7

Acting like, or modeling behaviors after a person someone likes. Associating with people or
groups that are of higher status in order to increase your own status

Answer 7

Identification

Question 8

Directing feelings at someone or something other than the source of those feelings.

Answer 8

Displacement

Question 9

Acting as if one was back in an earlier less troublesome time in their life.
Reverting to childlike behavior to get attention or to get your way.

Answer 9

Regression

Question 10

An attempt to make up for a weakness in one area by excelling in another area.

Answer 10

Compensation

Question 11

Transforming unacceptable behaviors into acceptable ones

Answer 11

Sublimation

Question 12

Emotional problems result in real physical ailments.

Answer 12

Conversion

Question 13

Replacing feelings that are socially or personally unacceptable with emotions that are acceptable.
Acting outwardly the opposite of what one feels.

Answer 13

Reaction Formation