Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Repeatedly doing actions to keep form being uptight without weighing the possible results of those actions

Answer 1

Acting Out

Question 2

Turning to others for help or support

Answer 2

Affiliation

Question 3

Dedicating to meeting the needs of others

Answer 3

Altruism

Question 4

Experiencing emotional reactions in advance of or anticipating consequences of possible future events and considering realistic alternative responses or solutions

Answer 4

Anticipation

Question 5

Hiding a weakness by stressing too strongly the desirable strength. Overindulging in one area to make up for frustration in another

Answer 5

Compensation

Question 6

Protecting oneself from unpleasant aspects of life by refusing to perceive, acknowledge, or face them

Answer 6

Denial of Reality

Question 7

Attributing exaggerated negative qualities to self or others

Answer 7

Devaluation

Question 8

Misdirecting pent-up feelings toward something or someone that is less threatening than that which actually triggered the feeling response

Answer 8

Displacement

Question 9

Breakdown in sense of reality

Answer 9

Dissociation

Question 10

Trying to handle problems or frustrations through daydreaming or imaginary solutions

Answer 10

Fantasy

Question 11

Complaining or making repetitious requests for help that disguise covert feelings of hostility or reproach toward others, which are then expressed by rejecting the suggestions, advice, or help that others offer

Answer 11

Help-Rejecting Complaining

Question 12

Emphasizing the amusing or ironic aspects of the conflict or stressor

Answer 12

Humor

Question 13

Attributing exaggerated positive qualities to others

Answer 13

Idealization

Question 14

Hiding ones feelings about something painful behind thoughts

Answer 14

Intellectualization

Question 15

Adopting someone elses values and standards without exploring whether or not they actually fit oneself; “shoulds’ or “ought-to’s”

Answer 15

Introjection

Question 16

Separating ideas from the feelings originally associated with them. Intellectualization and rationalization often reinforce this defense mechanism.

Answer 16

Isolation of Affect

Question 17

Feeling or acting as if he or she possesses special powers or abilities and is superior to others

Answer 17

Omnipotence

Question 18

Indirectly and unassertively expressing aggression toward others. There is a facade of overt compliance masking covert resistance, resentment, or hostility

Answer 18

Passive-Aggression

Question 19

Blaming. Assuming that someone has a particular quality or qualities that one finds distasteful

Answer 19

Projection

Question 20

Trying to feel more important by associating oneself with someone or something that is highly valued

Answer 20

Projective identification

Question 21

Trying to prove ones actions “made sense” or were justified; making excuses

Answer 21

Rationalization

Question 22

Adopting actions and beliefs, to an exaggerated degree that are directly opposite to those previously accepted

Answer 22

Reaction formation

Question 23

Under stress, re-adoptong actions done at a less mature stage of development

Answer 23

Regression

Question 24

Unconsciously blocking out painful thoughts

Answer 24

Repression

Question 25

Unconsciously blocking out painful thoughts

Answer 25

Repression

Question 26

Expressing feelings and thoughts directly in a way that is not coercive or manipulative

Answer 26

Self-assertion

Question 27

Reflecting on own thoughts, feelings, motivation, and behavior, and responding appropriately

Answer 27

Self-observation

Question 28

Attributing emotional difficulties to physical complaints

Answer 28

Somatization

Question 29

Compartmentalizing opposite negative and positive feelings of the self or others, resulting in an unbalanced perception of self or others as “all bad” or “all good”

Answer 29

Splitting

Question 30

Gratifying or working off frustrated sexual and aggressive desires in socially acceptable activity. This is considered to be the last primitive defense mechanism

Answer 30

Sublimation

Question 31

Intentionally avoiding thinking about disturbing problems, wishes, feelings, or experiences

Answer 31

Suppression

Question 32

Trying to superficially repair or make up for an action without dealing with the complex effects of that deed, “magical thinking”

Answer 32

Undoing

Question 33

Becoming emotionally uninvolved by pulling back and being passive or apathetic. May result in adapting oneself to a restricted way of living devoid of hope and involvement

Answer 33

Withdrawal / Emotional isolation