Ego Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
Covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable
Compensation
Refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real situation or the feelings associated with it
Denial
The transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less threatening or that is neutral
Displacement
An attempt to increase self-worth by acquiring certain attributes and characteristics of an individual one admires
Identification
An attempt to avoid expressing emotions associated with a stressful situation by using the intellectual processes of logic, reasoning, and analysis
Intellectualization
Integrating the beliefs and values of another individual into one’s own ego structure
Introjection
Separating a thought or memory from the feeling, tone, or emotion associated with it
Isolation
Attributing feelings or impulses unacceptable to one’s self to another person
Projection
Attempting to make excuses or formulate logical reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviours
Rationalization
Preventing unacceptable or undersirable thoughts or behaviours from being expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behaviours
Reaction Formation
Responding to stress by retreating to an earlier level of development and the comfort measures associated wtih that level of functioning
Regression
Involuntarily blocking unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awarness
Repression
Rechanneling of drives or impulses that are personally or socially unacceptable into acitvities that are constructive
Sublimation
The voluntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awareness
Suppression
Symbolically negating or canceling out an experience that one finds intolerable
Undoing
A physically disabled boy is unable to particpate in football, so he [INSERT EGO DEFENSE] by becoming a great scholar
Compensation
A woman drinks alchohol every day, cannot stop, and does not acknowledge that she has a problem
Denial
A client is angry at his doctor and does not express it but becomes verbally abusive with the nurse
Displacement
A teenager who required lengthy rehabilitation after an accident decides to become a physical therapist as a result of his experience
Identification
Susan’s husband is being transferred with his job to a city away from her parents. She hides anxiety by explaining to her parents the advantages associated with the move
Intellectualization
Children integrate their parents’ values system into the process of conscience formation. A child says to a friend, “Don’t cheat. It’s Wrong.”
Introjection
A young woman describes beibng attacked and raped without any emotion
Isolation
Sue feels a strong sexual attraction to her track coach and tells her friend, “He’s coming on to me!”
Projection
John tells teh rehab nurse, “I drink because its the only way I can deal with my bad marriage and my worse job”
Rationalization
Jane hates nursing. She attended nursing school to please her parents. During career day, she speaks to prospective nursing students about the excellence of nursing as a career
Reaction Formation
When 2-year-old Jay is hospitalized for tonsilitis, he will drink only from a bottle, although his mother states he has been drinking from a cup for 6 months
Regression
A trauma victim is unable to remember anything about the traumatic event
Repression
A mother whose son was killed by a drunk driver channels her anger and energy into being the president of the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers
Sublimation
Scarlett says, “I don’t want to think about that now. I’ll think about that tomorrow.”
Suppression
Joe is nervous about his new job and yells as his wife. On his way home, he stops and buys her some flowers.
Undoing
