human development

part 1

Introjection

הזדהות

takes others’ feelings or beliefs and makes them your own.

a psychological process where individuals internalize the beliefs and attitudes of others, often taking on their values as part of their own identity. This process can lead to changes in self-perception and behavior, shaping one's identity based on external influences. A child who is scolded often by a strict parent may start to internalize the parent's voice and scold themselves in the same way, even when the parent isn’t present.

intellectualization

a defense mechanism where individuals avoid uncomfortable emotions by focusing on intellectual aspects of a situation, often employing reason and logic to distance themselves from emotional stress. This allows them to maintain a sense of control and minimize anxiety by analyzing situations rather than feeling them.

Isolation of affect

A defense mechanism that involves separating one's emotions from cognitive processes, allowing an individual to discuss or analyze a painful experience without experiencing the associated feelings. flat, emotionless way

repression

hides unwanted thoughts or feelings from awareness.

A psychological defense mechanism in which undesirable thoughts, feelings, or memories are unconsciously blocked from awareness. This process serves to protect the individual from anxiety or distress caused by these internal conflicts. A person who was abused as a child may have no memory of the abuse, but it still affects their relationships

inhibition

blocks expression or action—often behaviorally—due to internal conflict or anxiety.

limits behavior, is a psychological defense mechanism that involves suppressing urges, impulses, or behaviors to conform to societal norms or expectations. This often leads to internal conflict and can manifest as anxiety or stress. A person avoids pursuing romantic relationships due to unconscious fear of rejection or past trauma

sublimation

A defense mechanism that involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors or activities. For example, an individual may redirect aggressive tendencies into competitive sports.

projection

Projection puts your feelings onto others.

A psychological defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own undesirable feelings, thoughts, or motives to another person, often to avoid confronting their own emotions. For instance, someone who is angry may accuse others of being hostile.

projective identification

A complex defense mechanism involving the projection of one's feelings onto another person, who then reacts as if they have those feelings. This can lead to a cycle of manipulation and conflict in relationships. דוגמאות:

• אדם שלא מסוגל להכיר בכך שהוא כועס, יתנהג כלפי האחר בצורה מעוררת תסכול, עד שהשני יתפרץ בכעס — ואז יאמר: "ידעתי שאתה עצבני."Examples include a person who, unable to acknowledge their own anger, behaves in a frustrating manner towards others, prompting them to erupt in anger, leading the first person to say, "I knew you were upset."

substitution

A defense mechanism where an undesirable impulse is replaced by a more acceptable or constructive behavior or goal. Someone who a romantic partner rejects may redirect their attention and affection toward a close friend or pet. This adjustment may help individuals cope with feelings of loss or disappointment.

symbolization

express unconscious thoughts, feelings, or memories indirectly—usually through symbols, rituals, or metaphors.A person places a rose on a grave to represent love and mourning for the deceased. This mechanism allows individuals to convey deeper emotions and insights without direct confrontation, often providing a safer means of expression.

turning against self

A defense mechanism where an individual redirects negative feelings or impulses toward themselves instead of others. This can manifest as self-criticism or self-harm, and it reflects internal conflict about their emotions. An adult who feels frustrated with others might engage in self-harming behaviors instead of confronting someone.

undoing

A defense mechanism where a person attempts to reverse or negate a thought, feeling, or action that is perceived as unacceptable. For instance, someone who has a bad thought about a loved one might engage in overly kind behavior to counteract that thought. OCDAfter thinking about cheating on their partner, a person buys them an expensive gift to relieve guilt

incorporation

מנגנוני הגנה: שילוב

primitive and symbolic—involving a fantasy of literally absorbing the other person.
A psychological process where individuals absorb attributes from their environment into their psyche .This can include adopting behaviors, values, or emotions from others. It often serves as a means of coping with stress or anxiety.

displacement.

A defense mechanism in which an individual redirects emotions or impulses from a threatening target to a less threatening one. For example, a person angry at their boss may come home and shout at their family instead.

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

A neuropsychological test used to measure abstract reasoning and the ability to change problem-solving strategies. It assesses cognitive flexibility and is often used to evaluate the function of the frontal lobes.

thematic apperception test

A projective psychological test that explores an individual's perceptions and stories based on ambiguous images. It is often used to assess personality and emotional functioning by revealing underlying thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

triangular theory

of love, which posits that love is composed of three elements: intimacy, passion, and commitment (friendship). This theory helps to categorize different types of love relationships based on the presence or absence of these elements.