AP Psych Unit 7: Defense Mechanisms

defense mechanisms

operate unconsciously and deny, falsify, or distort reality.

repression

the pushing away of threatening thoughts, feelings, and memories into the unconscious mind: unconscious forgetting.

regression

the retreat to an earlier level of development characterized by more immature, pleasurable behavior.

rationalization

offering socially acceptable reasons for our inappropriate behavior; making unconscious excuses.

projection

attributing our own undesirable thoughts, feelings, or actions to others.

displacement

shifting unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or actions from a more threatening person or object to another, less threatening person or object.

reaction formation

acting in a manner exactly opposite to our true feelings. Switch unacceptable impulses into their opposites. 

sublimation

the redirection of unacceptable sexual or aggressive impulses into more socially acceptable behaviors.

denial

refusing to believe / perceive painful realities.