defense mechanisms Flashcards
what are defense mechanisms?
strategies used to deal with strong/stressful emotions and situations
when are defense mechanisms okay to use?
when they are not used excessively
repression
UNCONSCIOUS blocking out painful experiences and out of conscious thought
suppression
INTENTIONAL pushing away painful experiences
rationalization
making excuses instead of taking responsibility for it. people do this to avoid feeling guilty
most common type of mechanism?
rationalization
regression
returning back to immature, childlike behavior
denial
refusing to accept the facts or truth but everyone knows it
compensation
covering up weaknesses or mistakes by making up for them through hard work, gift giving, etc
projection
projecting your feelings/faults onto person
displacement
literally the emotion of anger (screaming, punching)
guilt
emotional response where you think youve done something wrong. this is the most destructive one
what is a pessimist?
they tend to view negative events as permanent and far reaching
what is a optimist?
view negative events as temporary and specific
