Defense mechanisms

Question 1

Repression

Answer 1

Underlies all defense mechanisms

• Push or banish anxiety driven thought deep into unconscious
• Lead ti skips of the tongue ( freudian slips)

Question 2

Regression

Answer 2

When faced with anxiety the person retreats to a more infantile stage
- like thumb sucking

Question 3

Projection

Answer 3

Disguise your own threatening impulses by attributing them to others

Question 4

Reaction Formation

Answer 4

Acting the opposite of how you really feel

• Being mean to someone you have a crush on

Question 5

Denial

Answer 5

Refusing to believe or even perceive painful realities

• Dog died, keeps bowls out as if they are still alive

Question 6

Rationalization

Answer 6

Offers self adjusting explanation in place of real, more threatening reasons for your action

• You don’t get into a college so you say “I really did not want to go there it too far away”

Question 7

Displacement

Answer 7

Shifts sexual or aggressive impulsive towards a safer outlet

• Instead of yelling at a teacher you will take your anger out in a friend

Question 8

Sublimation

Answer 8

Re-channel their unacceptable impulses toad more acceptable or socially approve activities

• channel feelings of aggressiveness into playing football