Defense Mechanisms

• Processes that operate at unconscious levels that use self-deception or untrue explanations to protect the ego from being overwhelmed by anxiety

• Processes that operate at unconscious levels that use self-deception or untrue explanations to protect the ego from being overwhelmed by anxiety

1. Rationalization

• Covering up the true reasons for actions, thoughts, or feelings by making up excuses and incorrect explanations

• EX: After being turned down for a date to the prom, you realize that you would rather hang out with your friends anyway

2. Denial

• Refusing to recognize some anxiety-provoking event or piece of information that is clear to others

• EX: An alcoholic refuses to admit she has a problem

3. Repression

• Blocking and pushing unacceptable or threatening feelings, wishes, or experiences into the unconscious (could be temporary or long-term)

• “Forgetting” to go to a dentist appointment

• Not remembering abuse

& Repression

4. Projection

• Falsely and unconsciously attributing your own unacceptable feelings, traits, or thoughts to individuals or objects

• EX: An angry spouse accuses the other spouse of being hostile

• EX: A spouse who has a desire to cheat accuses the other spouse of having an affair

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5. Reaction Formation

• Substituting behavior, thoughts, or feelings that are the direct opposite of unacceptable ones

• EX: A person with homosexual impulses claims to hate homosexuals

•EX: A mother who has an unwanted child becomes overly protective of that child

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6. Displacement

• Transferring feelings about, or response to, an object that causes anxiety to another person or object that is less threatening

• EX: Angry at his mother, he picks a fight with his girlfriend

7. Sublimation

• Type of displacement involving redirecting a threatening or forbidden desire, usually sexual, into a socially acceptable one

• EX: After sexually frustrating experience you lift weights

• EX: A person with sadistic impulses becomes a dentist

8. Intellectualization

• Ignoring the emotional aspects of a painful experience by focusing on abstract concepts, thoughts, words, or ideas (form of rationalization)

• EX: A person told they have cancer asks for details on the probability of survival and the success rates of various drugs

• EX: A person who is dumped compares his or her situation to literary characters in a detached manner

9. Identification

• Bolstering self-esteem by forming and imaginary or real alliance with some person or group

• EX: Joining a fraternity to make up for insecurities

• EX: Unlucky with the ladies, Danny becomes an ardent Devil’s fan

10. Fantasy

• Gratifying frustrated desires by imaginary achievements

• EX: “The girlfriend in Canada”

• EX: Thinking of a great comeback after the person has left

11. Overcompensation

• Covering up felt weaknesses by emphasizing some desirable characteristic, or making up for frustration in one area by overgratification in another

• EX: A short person who picks fights with bigger people

• EX: Buying a large truck or sports car to cover insecurities

12. Regression

• Returning to an earlier stage of development

• EX: Acting like a child when upset

• EX: A school age child starts wetting the bed when the baby sibling is born