Quick Study: Defense Mechanisms Page 1 of 3

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QuickStudy:DefenseMechanisms

PSYCHOLOGICALDEFENSEMECHANISMS Psychologicaldefensemechanismshelptheegocopewithanxiety,

frustration,andunacceptableimpulses. Psychologicaldefensemechanismshelprelievetensionbetweeninner

psychologicalrealityandthedemandsoftheexternalworld. Denial,reactionformation,andprojectionareconsideredprimitivedefenses

becausetheyaremoreoutoftouchwithreality. Sublimation,undoing,rationalization,displacement,identification,and

intellectualizationrepresenthigherlevelsoffunctioning. Eachpersonhastheiruniquesetofpsychologicaldefensesthatmakeup

theirpersonality.

Rationalization Rationalizationisadefenseprocessbywhichplausiblereasonsjustifyan

actionoropinion. Rationalizationhelpsthepersoncopewithdisappointmentsbyblaming

externalcircumstances. Apersonisusingrationalizationwhen,afternotgettingajobheappliedfor,

hethinks,“I’llbebetteroffatadifferentcompany. Apersonisusingrationalizationwhen,aftergettingturneddownforadate,

shesays,“Thatpersonisreallysnobby.” Anabusedspousemayrationalizehittingherchildrenas‘punishment’after

beinghitbyherspouse.

Repression Repressionrefusestoletintoawarenessunacceptableimpulsesbutremains

unconsciouslyoperativeinbehavior. Apersonusingrepressionmightfeelsexuallyattractedtowardmembersof

thesamesexbutpushesawaythisintolerablethoughtfromconsciousnessonlytolaterdreamaboutsuchsexualimpulses.

Apersonisusingrepressionwhen,afteryearsofcelibacy,thepersonbeginstoeatcopiousamountsoffood.

Ayoungboyexhibitsrepressionwhenhehasaphobiaofdogsbutcannotrememberthefirsttimehewasafraidofthem.

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Displacement Displacementisadefensemechanisminwhichaffectistransferredfromone

objecttoanother. Apersonisusingdisplacementwhenhecompulsivelyeatslollipopsafter

havingquitsmoking. Apersonisusingdisplacementwhenshebeginstocompulsivelywashher

handsafterbeingshamedformasturbating. Amanisusingdisplacementwhenheyellsathisspousebecauseheisunable

toexpressangertowardhisboss.

Identification Identificationtypicallyreferstothedisplayofaparticularcharacteristicor

traitthathasbeenabsorbedintoone'sownpersonality. ABruceLeefanisusingidentificationwhenhebecomesadisciplinedmartial

artchampion. Ayoungpersonisusingidentificationwhendecidingtofollowinherfather’s

footstepsandbecomealawyer.

Intellectualization Intellectualizationisaprocessbywhichcontentisseparatedfromrepressed

affect. Apersonusesintellectualizationwhenspeakingofhistraumaticchildhood

asifreadingascriptedstory. Avictimofsexualassaultmayuseintellectualizationbyresearchingfactual

PTSDcriteriainsteadofaddressingheremotionalpainintherapy.

Asceticism Asceticismischaracterizedbyrigorandself‐denial. Anadultusesasceticismwhensherefusestoeatorsleepuntilamajorwork

projectiscomplete. Anadolescentusesasceticismtocopewithsexualtensionanddesireby

refusingtoengageinallpleasurableactivities

ReactionFormation Reactionformationisaprocessbywhichunacceptableimpulsesare

expressedastheiropposites. Reactionformationhelpsreleaseanxietyandguiltassociatedwiththetrue

impulse. Anangrysuperviseeusesreactionformationwhenbeingoverlynicetohis

supervisor. Aparentwithanunwantedchildmaydemonstratereactionformationby

beingveryoverprotective. Amanwhoisgayusesreactionformationwhenheopenlydateswomenand

criticizesgaymen.

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IntrojectionandInternalization Introjectionistheinternalizationofoutsideeventsorcharacteristicsofother

people. IntrojectionoftenleadstoIdentificationbutrefersspecificallytotheprocess

of"takingin"or"swallowingwhole"thecharacteristicortrait. Avictimmayuseintrojectiontoidentifywiththeaggressor’sbehaviorsto

helpprotecthimself. Apersonusesintrojectionwhenputtingonherseatbeltbeforedrivingaway

inhercar.

Projection Projectionplacesunacceptablefeelingsfromthepersonfeelingthemonto

anotherperson. Ahighlyanxiouscolleagueisprojectingwhencomplainingaboutanother

colleague’sanxieties. Apersonisusingprojectionwhenhecomplainsthatnoonelikeshimbutin

realityhedoesnotlikehimselforothers.

Denial Denialdistortsrealityanddoesnotacknowledgeemotion. Denialisuncommoninveryyoungchildrenbecausetheyareunableto

distinguishbetweenfantasyandreality. Apersonisusingdenialwhenhecontinuestoeatunhealthyfoodsdespitehis

doctor’sorderstoeathealthier. Analcoholicisindenialwhensheattendsarecoveryprogrambutcontinues

todrinkalcohol.

Sublimation Apersonusingsublimationwilldisplaceunacceptableinstinctsfor

constructiveandsociallyacceptablebehaviors. Apersonwithmajordepressionmayuseprofessionaldancetohelp

sublimatesuicidalthoughts. Apersonwithaggressiveimpulsesmayusesublimationbybecominga

kickboxinginstructor.

Undoing Undoingisaprocessbywhichweavoidbeingpunishedforundesirable

thoughtsoractions. Aspouseunconsciouslyundoeshismanyadulterousactsbybuyinghis

partnerlavishgifts. Apersonisoverlynicetoapersonshehadjustinsultedinhermind.