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
Asceticism
_______________“I’m afraid of snakes, but I’m not sure why.”
Repression
_______________Unacceptable feelings are expressed as their opposite.
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,
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. Can result from introjection/internalization over time.
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” of a characteristic or trait of
another person or outside events. Over time, this can lead to identification.
Introjection/Internalization
_______________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 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
