Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Defense mechanisms
Are employed by the ego in a threat of biological or psychological integrity. Used to consciously or unconsciously protect the ego in effort to relieve milf to moderate anxiety.
May impede the patients progress toward health.
Compensation
Covering up a real perceived weakness by emphasizing a desire able trait
Denial *
Refusing to aknowledge exist and of real situation or the feelings associated with it
“He’s not dead!”
Displacement *
Transfer of feelings from one target to another that is less threatening or neutral.
“Bad day at work- dad comes home and yells at kids”
Identification
Attempt to increase self worth by acquiring attributes and characteristics that someone likes
Intellectualization
Avoiding emotions during stress and trying to use reason, logic and analysis
Introjection
Integrating the beliefs and values of someone else into ones own ego structure
Isolation
Separating a thought or memory from the feeling, tone, or emotions associated with it
Projection *
Attributing feelings or impulses unacceptable to ones self to another person
“Accusing staff to be sexually abusive when the paring has sexual interest”
Rationalization *
Making excuses or formulating logical responds to justify bad feelings or behaviors
“Everyone cheats on exams”
Reaction formation *
Preventing unacceptable thoughts or behaviors from being expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or behaviors
Regression *
Retreating in response to stress to an earlier level of development and the comfort measures associated with that level of fxn.
“Returning to primitive levels of behavior in defense against anxiety and frustration”
Repression*
Involuntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from ones awareness
-blocking a threatening idea or memory
Sublimination
Redirecting imposes that are socially or personally unacceptable into activities that are constructive
Suppression
Voluntarily blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from ones awareness
