Psych ch 3 Ego defense mechanisms

compensation

overachievement in one area to offset real or preceived deficiencies in another area;working two shifts so boss will like her

conversion

expression of an emotional conflict through the development of a physical symptom, usually sensorimotor in mature;seeing X-rated movie and going blind

denial

failure to acknowledge an unbearable condition;failure to admit the reality of a situation or how one enables the problem to continue:spending money when broke

displacement

ventilation of intense feelings toward persons less threatening than the one who aroused those feelings;mad at boss and yell at spouse

dissociation

dealing with emotional conflict by a temporary alteration in consciousness or identity;adult doesn't recall sexual abuse

fixation

immobilization of a portion of the personality resulting from unsucccessful completion of tasks in a developmental stage;never learning to delay gratification

Identification

modeling actions and opinions of influential others

intellectualization

separation of the emotions of a painful event of situation from the facts involved; acknowledging the facts but not the emotions;no emotion with car wreck

introjection

accepting another person's attitudes, beliefs, and values as one's own;becomes member of church and leaves when friend leaves

projection

unconscious blaming of unacceptable inclinations or thoughts on an external object;beating up gays

rationalization

excusing own behavior to avoid guilt, responsibility, conflict, anxiety, or loss of self-respect; failed test because of teacher

reaction formation

acting the opposite of what one thinks or feels;despising person and tells how great he is

regression

moving back to a previous developmental stage to feel safe or have needs met;boyfriend acting like 4 yr old to get his way

repression

excluding emotional painful or anxiety-provoking thoughts and feelings from conscious awareness;woman has no memory of yesterdays mugging

resistance

overt or convert antagonism toward remembering or processing anxiety-producing information;nurse has no time for dying patient

sublimation

substituting a socially acceptable activity for an impulse that is inacceptable;quit smoking and sucks on hard candy

substitution

replacing the desired gratififcaion with one that is more readily available;woman who wants children/ opens day care

suppression

conscious exclusion of inacceptale thoughts and feelings from conscious awareness;woman says she cannot think about death of son

undoing

exhibition acceptable behavior to make up for or negate unaceptable behavior;cheating husband gives roses to wife