Defense Mechanisms - WLB

Question 1

Acting out

Answer 1

Immature

Expressing unacceptable feelings through actions

e.g. destructive behavior, tantrums, drinking

Question 2

Denial

Answer 2

Immature

Behaving as if an aspect of reality does not exist. Denying reality.

e.g. reaction of newly diagnosed HIV or cancer patient

Question 3

Displacement

Answer 3

Immature

Transferring feelings to a more acceptable object or neutral person.

e.g. yelling at child after spouse yells at them

Question 4

Intellectualization

Answer 4

Immature

Using intellect to avoid uncomfortable feelings

e.g. Cancer pt focusing only on rates of survival.

Question 5

Passive aggression

Answer 5

Immature

Avoiding conflict by expressing hostility covertly

Question 6

Projection

Answer 6

Immature

Attributing one’s own feelings to others (although they may be opposite of others)

e.g. man who wants to cheat on his wife accuses his wife of being unfaithful.

Question 7

Rationalization

Answer 7

Immature

Justifying behavior to avoid difficult truths. Avoid self-blame.

e.g. claiming you didn’t like job after getting fired

Question 8

Reaction formation

Answer 8

Immature

Replacing a warded-off idea or feeling by an (unconsciously derived) emphasis on its opposite.

Responding in a manner opposite to one’s actual feelings

e.g. pt with promiscuous thoughts enters the monastery

Question 9

Regression

Answer 9

Immature

Reverting to earlier developmental stage

e.g. bedwetting in previously toilet-trained pt

Question 10

Splitting

Answer 10

Immature

Seeing others as all good or all bad

Question 11

Sublimation

Answer 11

Mature

Channeling impulses into socially acceptable behaviors

e.g. teenage aggression redirected to perform well in sports

Question 12

Suppression

Answer 12

Mature

Intentionally putting unwanted feelings aside to cope with reality

e.g. choosing not to worry about a test until test day

Question 13

Dissociation

Answer 13

Immature

Temporary, drastic change in personality, memory, consciousness, or motor behavior to avoid emotional stress. Detachment.

Extreme forms => multiple personality disorder

Question 14

Fixation

Answer 14

Immature

Partially remaining at a more childish leve of development

e.g. Adults fixating on video games

Question 15

Identification

Answer 15

Immature

Modeling behavior after another person who is more powerful – although not necessarily admired. Assimilates.

e.g. abused child later becomes a child abuser

Question 16

Isolation

Answer 16

Immature

Separating feelings from ideas and events

e.g. Describing murder in graphic detail with no emotional response. Used by medical professionals.

Question 17

Repression

Answer 17

Immature

Involuntary withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness

e.g. 20-year-old does not remember going to counseling during his parent’s divorce 10 years earlier

Question 18

Altruism

Answer 18

Mature

Alleviating negative feelings via unsolicited generosity.

e.g. Mafia boss makes large donations to charity