Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable. example includes a physically disabled boy is unable to participate in football so he compensates by becoming a great scholar
Compensation
Refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real situation or the feelings associated with it. example a woman drinks alcohol everyday, can’t stop, and does not acknowledge that she has a problem
Denial
The transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less threatening or that is neutral. Example a client is angry at his doctor and does not express it but becomes verbally abusive with the nurse
Displacement
An attempt to increase self-worthy by acquiring certain attributes and characteristics of an individual one admirers a teenager who required lengthy rehabilitation after an accident decides to become a physical therapist as a result of his
Identification
an attempt to avoid expressing actual emotions associated with a stressful situation by using the intellectual process of logic reasoning and analysis. example Susan’s husband is being transferred with his job to a city far away from her parents. She hides anxiety by explaining to her parents the advantages associated with the move
Intellectualization
Integrating the beliefs and values of another individual into one’s own ego structure example children integrate their parents value system into the process of conscious formation. A child says to a friend don’t cheat it’s wrong
Introjection
Separating a thought or memory from a feeling, tone, or emotion associated with it. Example a young woman describes being attacked and raped without showing any emotion
Isolation
Attributing feelings or impulse unacceptable to one’s self to another person. Example Sue feels a strong sexual attraction to her track coach and tells her friend he’s coming on to me.
Projection
Attempting to make excuses or formulate logic reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviors. example John tells the rehab nurse I drink because it’s the only way I can deal with my bad marriage and my bad job
Rationalization
Preventing unacceptable or undesirable thoughts or behaviors from being expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behavior example Jane hates nursing. She attended nursing school to please her parents. During career day, she speaks to prospective students about the excellence of nursing as a career
Reaction formation
responding to stress by retreating to an earlier level of development and the comfort measures associated with that level of functioning. Example when 2-year-old Jay is hospitalized for tonsillitis, he will drink only from a bottle although his mother states he has been drinking from a cup for 6 months
Regression
involuntarily blocking unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awareness. Example a trauma victim is unable to remember anything about a traumatic event.
Repression
Free channeling the drives or impulses that are personally or socially unacceptable and to activities that are constructive. Example a mother whose son was killed by a drunk driver channels her anger and energy and to being the president of the local chapter of mothers against drunk drivers
Sublimitation
the voluntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awareness. Example Scarlett says I don’t want to think about that now. I’ll think about it tomorrow
Suppression
Using actions rather than words or feelings during periods of emotional conflict
Acting out
