Defense Mechanisms Flashcards

1
Q

Rationalization

A

Plausible reasons to justify an action or opinion; helps cope with disappointments by blaming external circumstances (ex: not getting a job, thinking “better off elsewhere”)

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2
Q

Repression

A

Refuses to let into awareness unacceptable impulses but remains unconsciously operative in behavior (ex: child has phobia of dogs but not able to recall first time being afraid)

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3
Q

Displacement

A

Affect is transferred from one object to another (ex: compulsively eating lollipops after having quit smoking)

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4
Q

Identification

A

Qualities of an external object are absorbed into one’s personality (ex: young person decides to follow parent’s footsteps and becomes a lawyer)

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5
Q

Intellectualization

A

Content is separated from repressed affect (ex: client talks of childhood trauma as if reading a script; victim of assault does research on PTSD criteria)

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6
Q

Asceticism

A

Rigor and self-denial (ex: refusing to eat/sleep until major work project is complete)

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7
Q

Reaction Formation

A

Unacceptable impulses are expressed as their opposite; helps release anxiety/guilt regarding true impulse (ex: an angry employee is overly nice to their boss)

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8
Q

Introjection/Internalization

A

Internalization of outside events or characteristics of other people (ex: victim identifies with aggressor’s behavior)

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9
Q

Projection

A

Places unacceptable feelings from the person feeling them to another person (ex: highly anxious worker complaining about another colleague’s anxiety)

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10
Q

Denial

A

Distorts reality and does not acknowledge emotion; uncommon in young children (ex: alcoholic attends recovery program but continues to drink)

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11
Q

Sublimation

A

Displace unacceptable instincts for constructive and socially acceptable behaviors (ex: person with aggressive impulses becomes kickboxing instructor)

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12
Q

Undoing

A

Avoid being punished for undesirable thoughts or actions (ex: spouse unconsciously undoes adulterous acts by buying partner gifts)

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