Definitions of Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Repression
“Burying alive mechanism”
Unable to recall painful or unpleasant thoughts or feelings.
Suppression
Willfully putting an unacceptable thought or feeling out of one’s mind.
Can remember that thought or feeling when you want.
It’s used to protect self-esteem.
Rationalization
Most common defense mechanism
Used unconsciously
To justify ideas, actions, or feelings with good, acceptable reasons or explanations
Identification
“The imitator”
An attempt to identify with the personality and traits of another
For self-esteem
Compensation
Overcomes an inability or lack or deficiency by becoming proficient in another area.
Conscious or unconscious.
Reaction-formation
Opposite behaviour to what the person is thinking or feeling.
Conscious putting others before oneself -altruistic
Substitution
Replacing a goal when it is blocked.
Used to reduce frustration and promote self-esteem.
Displacement
Transfer feelings from one thing to another.
It can involve an idea, person, or object.
The substitute target is less threatening and allows the person to release emotional reactions.
Restitution
An act to reduce or alleviate feelings of guilt.
Projection
“Scapegoat”
Blaming others for one’s own faults.
Symbolization
Outwardly represents internal ideas, attitudes, or feelings.
Example - engagement ring
Externally allows emotional expression.
Regression
Retreating to past levels of behaviour.
To reduce feelings of anxiety.
Sublimation
Rechanneling unacceptable impulses or behaviours into activities that are personally or socially acceptable.
Denial
Unconscious refusal to face things that are intolerable.
Refusal to acknowledge reality.
Introjection
Stronger than identification
Taking on the character traits of another person.
Loss of self
