Reactions

Question 1

Define splitting

Answer 1

an immature response where a person cannot reconcile the good and bad in someone and only views people as all-good or all-bad (i.e. often ending relationships explosively and cannot maintain relationships) – EUPD/borderline PD

Question 2

Define dissociation

Answer 2

an immature ego defence where one assumes a different identity to deal with a situation

Question 3

Define sublimation

Answer 3

a mature ego defence where one takes an unacceptable personality trait and uses it to drive a respectable work that does not conflict with their ego/values (i.e. a youth with anger issues signs up to a boxing academy)

Question 4

Define reaction formation

Answer 4

an immature ego defence where one suppresses unacceptable emotions and replaces them with their exact opposite (i.e. a man with homoerotic desires becomes a champion of anti-homosexual policy)

Question 5

Define regression

Answer 5

revert to an immature behaviour in a stressful situation (i.e. bang a desk in frustration)

Question 6

Define identification

Answer 6

someone models the behaviour of someone else (i.e. someone abused as a child becomes a child abuser as an adult; a widow taking over her late husband’s voluntary work; an older brother playing with a dead younger brother’s toys)

Question 7

Define displacement

Answer 7

defence mechanism when someone takes out their emotions on a neutral person (not likely to respond to them)

Question 8

Define projection

Answer 8

a person assumes an innocent/neutral character is responsible or as guilty as the patient, for the patient’s actions