Defense Mechanisms Table 15.2 Flashcards
Denial
involves escaping unpleasant, anxiety-causing thoughts, feelings, wishes, or needs by ignoring their existence.
Adaptive use of Denial
A man reacts to the death of a loved one by saying, “No, I don’t believe you,” to initially protect himself from the overwhelming news.
Maladaptive use of Denial
A woman whose husband died 3 years earlier still keeps his clothes in the closet and talks about him in the present tense.
Displacement
Is the transference of emotions associated with a particular person, object, or situation to another nonthreatening person, object, or situation.
Adaptive use of Displacement
A child yells at his teddy bear after being picked on by the school bully.
Maladaptive use of Displacement
A child who is unable to acknowledge fear of his father becomes fearful of animals.
Identification
Is attributing to oneself the characteristics of another person or group. This may be done consciously or unconsciously.
Adaptive Use of Identification
An 8-year-old girl dresses up like her teacher and puts together a pretend classroom for her friends.
Maladaptive Use of Identification
A boy dresses and talks like a neighborhood drug dealer and starts his own “gang.”
Projection
Refers to the unconscious rejection of emotionally unacceptable features and attributing them to others.
Adaptive Use of Projection
No example. This is considered an immature defense mechanism.
Maladaptive use of Projection
A woman who has repressed an attraction toward other women refuses to socialize. She fears that another woman will come on to her.
Rationalization
Consists of justifying illogical or unreasonable ideas, actions, or feelings by developing acceptable explanations that satisfy the teller and the listener.
Adaptive Use of Rationalization
An employee says, “I didn’t get the raise because the boss doesn’t like me.”
Maladaptive use of Rationalization
A man who believes that his son was fathered by another man excuses his harsh treatment of the boy by saying, “He is lazy and doesn’t listen to me,” when that is not true.
Reaction formation
Is when unacceptable feelings or behaviors are controlled and kept out of awareness by developing the opposite emotion or behavior.
Adaptive use of Reaction formation
A recovering alcoholic constantly talks about the evils of drinking.
Maladaptive use of Reaction formation
A woman who has an unconscious hostility toward her daughter is overprotective and hovers over her to protect her from harm, interfering with her normal growth and development.
Repression
Is an unconscious exclusion of unpleasant or unwanted experiences, emotions, or ideas from conscious awareness.
Adaptive use of Repression
After a marital fight, a man forgets his spouse’s birthday.
Maladaptive use of Repression
A woman is unable to enjoy sex after having pushed out of awareness a traumatic sexual incident from childhood.
Sublimation
Is an unconscious process of transforming negative impulses into less damaging and even productive impulses.
Adaptive use of Sublimation
A woman who is angry with her boss channels her feelings into housework until her house is sparkling clean.
Maladaptive use of Sublimation
No example. The use of sublimation is always constructive.
Suppression
The conscious decision to delay addressing a disturbing situation or feeling. For example, Jessica has studied for the state board examination for a week. She says, “I won’t worry about paying my rent until after my exam tomorrow.
Adaptive use of Suppression
A businessman who is preparing to make an important speech is told by his wife that morning that she wants a divorce. Although visibly upset, he puts the incident aside until after his speech, when he can give the matter his total attention.
Maladaptive use of Suppression
A woman who feels a lump in her breast shortly before leaving for a 3-week vacation puts the information in the back of her mind until after she returns from her vacation
