Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Denial
Unconscious failure to acknowledge an event, thought, or feeling that is too painful for conscious awareness
Displacement
The transference of feelings to another person or object
After being scolded at work the man comes home and kicks the dog
Identification
Attempt to be like someone or emulate the personality traits or behaviors of another person
Teenage girl dresses and behaves like her favorite singer
Intellectualization
Using reason to avoid emotional conflicts
Introjection
Incorporation of values or qualities of an admired person or group into one’s own ego structure
Young man deals with business client in the same way his father deals with business clients
Isolation
Separation of an unacceptable feeling, idea, or impulse from one’s thought process
The individual loses touch with the feelings associated with a rape while remaining aware of the details.
Passive-agression
Indirectly expressing aggression toward others; a facade of overt compliance masks covert resentment
One employee doesn’t like another, so he secretly steals her milk from the office refrigerator. She is unaware of his hostile feelings
Projection
Attributing one’s own thoughts or impulses to another person
A child is very angry at a parent but accuses the parent of being angry.
Rationalization
Offering an acceptable, logical explanation to make unacceptable feelings and behaviors acceptable
A man is rejected by his girlfriend but explains to his friends that her leaving was best because she was beneath him socially and would not be liked by his family.
Reaction Formation
Development of conscious attitudes and behaviors that are the opposite of what is really felt
Person who dislikes animals does volunteer work for the Humane Society
Regression
Reverting to an earlier level of development when anxious or highly stressed
After moving into a new home the 6 year old starts wetting the bed
Repression
The INVOLUNTARY exclusion of painful thought or memory from awareness
A man whose mother died when her was 12 cannot tell you how old he was or the year she died
Sublimination
Substitution of an unacceptable feeling with a more socially acceptable one
An adolescent boy is very angry with his parents. On the football field, he tackles someone very forcefully.
Suppression
The INTENTIONAL exclusion of feelings and ideas
A student is anxiously awaiting test results but goes to a movie to stop thinking about it.
Undoing
Communication or behavior done to negate a previously unacceptable act
A man has sexual fantasies about his wife’s sister. He takes his wife away for a romantic weekend.
