Defense mechanisms Flashcards
Denial
Refusing to acknowledge some painful aspect of external reality or subjective experience that would be apparent to others. When there is gross impairment in reality testing the term psychotic denial is used
Displacement
Transferring a feeling about or a response to one object onto another less threatening substitute object
Intellectualization
Excessive use of abstract thinking or the making of generalizations to control or minimize disturbing feelings
Identification
An attempt to increase self worth by acquiring certain attributes of an admired individual.
Isolation of affect
Separating the ideas from the feelings usually associated with them
Projection
Falsely attributing to another his or her own unacceptable feelings, impulses, or thoughts.
Rationalization
Concealing the true motivations for his or her own thoughts actions or feelings through the elaboration of reassuring or self serving but incorrect explanations.
Reaction formation
Substituting behavior, thoughts, or feelings that are diametrically opposed to one’s own unacceptable thoughts or feelings. Occurs with repression.
Repression
Expelling disturbing wishes, thoughts or experiences from conscious awareness. Feelings may remain conscious, but are detached from the ideas.
Sublimation
Channeling potentially maladaptive feelings into socially acceptable behavior.
Suppression
Intentionally avoiding thinking about disturbing problems, wishes, feelings or experiences.
Undoing
Using words or behavior to negate or to make amends symbolically for unacceptable thoughts, feelings or actions.
Compensation
Overachievement in one area to offset perceived deficiencies in another.
Introjection
Acceptance of another person’s values, beliefs and attitudes as one’s own.
Regression
reverting to behaviors that are more appropriate to a younger age.
