Defense Mechanisms

Rationalization

A defense process by which plausible reasons justify an action or opinion

Helps the person cope with disappointments by blaming external circumstances

Thinking "ill be better off at another company" after getting turned down from a job

rationalization example

"I didn't have time to go to the gym because I had to make dinner for my kids."

Repression

Refuses to let unacceptable impulses into conscious awareness

Repression is like forgetting something bad happened, Denial is acting like something didn't happen

A boy exhibits repression when he has a phobia of dogs but cannot remember the event that occurred that caused him to be afraid of them

Denial

Refusal to accept reality, acting like what ever happened never happened

Denial is acting like something didn't happened, repression is like forgetting something bad happened

denial example

A man attends anger management classes but states that he doesn't have a problem.

Projection

places unacceptable feelings from the person onto another person

Person A has feelings about person B, instead of expressing that feeling, person A accuse person B of feeling that way

Displacement

defense mechanism in which affect is transferred from one object to another

Person A has a feeling about Person B, but cannot express it directly so instead they take it out on Person C

Projective Identification

The person who has been projected onto believing this projection, takes projection a step further

when the people start to believe what has been projected onto them

Intellectualization

A process by which content is separated from repressed affect

A person uses intellectualization when speaking of his traumatic childhood as if reading a scripted story

Intellectualization example

a woman recently diagnosed with depression focuses on learning about the symptoms of depression instead of expressing her feelings.

Asceticism

characterized by rigor and self denial

an adult refuses to eat or sleep until a major work project is complete

Asceticism example

A college student won't eat or sleep until all his work is done.

Sublimation

displace unacceptable instincts for constructive and socially acceptable behaviors

a person with aggressive impulses becomes a kickboxing instructor

Introjection / Internalization

the internalization of outside events or characteristics of other people

a victim might use this to identify with the aggressors behaviors to help protect themselves

Identification

is a process by which qualities of an external object are absorbed into ones personality

a person uses identification when deciding to follow their fathers footsteps and becoming a lawyer

Reaction Formation

A process by which unacceptable impulses are expressed as their opposites

helps release anxiety and guilt associated with the true impulse

A gay man who uses reaction formation when he openly dates women and criticizes gay men

Undoing

process by which we avoid being punished for undesirable thoughts or actions

We undo a threatening thought feeling or behavior by engaging in a contrary behavior

a person is overly nice to a person she just insulted in her mind

repression example

"I'm afraid of snakes, but I'm not sure why."

reaction formation example

A boy is interested in a girl but acts aloof and disinterested when around her.

identification example

A woman decides to become a psychologist because her mom is one.

displacement example

A father who lost his job finds himself yelling at his kids more often.

Introjection / Internalization example

"I'm going to stand up to the bully by being strong like my Dad!"

projection example

A woman is unfaithful but accuses her husband of cheating on her.

undoing example

A teenager gets into a loud argument with his parents but then cleans up his room without being asked.