Defense Mechanisms Table 15.2

Question 1

Denial

Answer 1

involves escaping unpleasant, anxiety-causing thoughts, feelings, wishes, or needs by ignoring their existence.

Question 2

Adaptive use of Denial

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Maladaptive use of Denial

Answer 3

A woman whose husband died 3 years earlier still keeps his clothes in the closet and talks about him in the present tense.

Question 4

Displacement

Answer 4

Is the transference of emotions associated with a particular person, object, or situation to another nonthreatening person, object, or situation.

Question 5

Adaptive use of Displacement

Answer 5

A child yells at his teddy bear after being picked on by the school bully.

Question 6

Maladaptive use of Displacement

Answer 6

A child who is unable to acknowledge fear of his father becomes fearful of animals.

Question 7

Identification

Answer 7

Is attributing to oneself the characteristics of another person or group. This may be done consciously or unconsciously.

Question 8

Adaptive Use of Identification

Answer 8

An 8-year-old girl dresses up like her teacher and puts together a pretend classroom for her friends.

Question 9

Maladaptive Use of Identification

Answer 9

A boy dresses and talks like a neighborhood drug dealer and starts his own “gang.”

Question 10

Projection

Answer 10

Refers to the unconscious rejection of emotionally unacceptable features and attributing them to others.

Question 11

Adaptive Use of Projection

Answer 11

No example. This is considered an immature defense mechanism.

Question 12

Maladaptive use of Projection

Answer 12

A woman who has repressed an attraction toward other women refuses to socialize. She fears that another woman will come on to her.

Question 13

Rationalization

Answer 13

Consists of justifying illogical or unreasonable ideas, actions, or feelings by developing acceptable explanations that satisfy the teller and the listener.

Question 14

Adaptive Use of Rationalization

Answer 14

An employee says, “I didn’t get the raise because the boss doesn’t like me.”

Question 15

Maladaptive use of Rationalization

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Reaction formation

Answer 16

Is when unacceptable feelings or behaviors are controlled and kept out of awareness by developing the opposite emotion or behavior.

Question 17

Adaptive use of Reaction formation

Answer 17

A recovering alcoholic constantly talks about the evils of drinking.

Question 18

Maladaptive use of Reaction formation

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Repression

Answer 19

Is an unconscious exclusion of unpleasant or unwanted experiences, emotions, or ideas from conscious awareness.

Question 20

Adaptive use of Repression

Answer 20

After a marital fight, a man forgets his spouse’s birthday.

Question 21

Maladaptive use of Repression

Answer 21

A woman is unable to enjoy sex after having pushed out of awareness a traumatic sexual incident from childhood.

Question 22

Sublimation

Answer 22

Is an unconscious process of transforming negative impulses into less damaging and even productive impulses.

Question 23

Adaptive use of Sublimation

Answer 23

A woman who is angry with her boss channels her feelings into housework until her house is sparkling clean.

Question 24

Maladaptive use of Sublimation

Answer 24

No example. The use of sublimation is always constructive.

Question 25

Suppression

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Adaptive use of Suppression

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Maladaptive use of Suppression

Answer 27

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