common defense mechanisms

apathy

indifference; a lack of interest, feeling, concern or emotion

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I don’t care what she puts in my evaluation, because I am going to get a better job soon.”

apathy

compensation

a method of balancing a failure or inadequacy with an accomplishment

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I ate a lot of candy yesterday, but I also ate a big green salad.”

compensation

conversion

transformation of anxiety into a physical symptom that has no cause

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I get a severe headache every time I see my ex with his new wife.”

conversion

denial

avoidance of unpleasant or anxiety-provoking situations or ideas by rejecting them or ignoring their existence

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I am healthy and fit. There is no way I have cancer, so I don’t need all those tests.

denial

displacement

the redirection of emotions away from its original subject or object onto another less threatening subject or object

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I had enough trouble handling that last patient. I don’t need to deal with this malfunctioning copier right now.”

displacement

dissociation

a disconnection of emotional importance from ideas or events and compartmentalizing those emotions in different parts of awareness

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I’m always getting into fights with my neighbors, which is odd because I teach an online course in conflict resolution.”

dissociation

identification

the attribution of characteristics of someone else to oneself or the imitation of another

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I could pass that certification test just like she just did, and I haven’t even studied the material.”

identification

intellectualization

analysis of a situation with facts not emotions

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “He didn’t break up with me because he didn’t love me, he just had too much on his plate at work at the time.”

intellectualization

introjection

adoption of the thoughts or feelings of others

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “My dad says I should stand up for myself, so I am going to be more assertive.”

introjection

physical avoidance

keeping away from any person, place or object that evokes memories of something unpleasant

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I can’t go to that hospital because that’s where my father died.”

physical avoidance

projection

the transference of a person’s unpleasant ideas and emotions onto someone or something else

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “She leaves more charts incomplete than I do, so why am I getting this warning.”

projection

rationalization

an explanation that makes something negative or unacceptable seem justifiable or acceptable

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “My partner drinks evert night to make himself less anxious about work.”

rationalization

reaction formation

belief in and expression of the opposite of one’s true feelings

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I really hate being in the military, but I always sign some people up at recruitment events.”

reaction formation

regression

the reversion to an earlier, more childlike, developmental behavior

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I can’t do all that paperwork, and you can’t make me”

regression

repression

elimination of unpleasant emotions, desires or problems from the conscious mind

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “They tell me I was hurt in that robbery, but I can’t remember anything about it.”

repression

sarcasm

the use of words that have the opposite meaning, especially to be funny, insulating or irritating

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “You have a nice office if you like living in caves.”

sarcasm

sublimation

rechanneling unacceptable urges or drives into something constructive or acceptable

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “When I was a kid, I used to like to pull wings and legs of insects I’d catch, Now I am biology teacher.”

sublimation

suppression

voluntary blocking of an unpleasant experience from one’s awareness

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “The doctor said I need more tests, but I am going to take my vacation first.”

suppression

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “I had a big fight with my wife last night, but I am going to buy her some flowers on my way home today.”

undoing

undoing

cancelling out an unacceptable behavior with a symbolic gesture

verbal aggression

verbal attack on a person without addressing the original intent of the conversation

what type of defense mechanism is this an example of: “Why would you ask me that when you can’t even control your children.”

verbal aggression