Freudian Defense Mechanisms

Denial

Refusing to accept real events because they are unpleasant

Ex) A smoker refuses to believe smoking causes cancer, despite experiencing health issues

Displacement

Transferring inappropriate urges or behaviors onto an acceptable or less threatening target

Ex) A child who is angry at their parents takes it out on a younger sibling by yelling at or hitting them

Projection

Attributing unacceptable desires to others

Ex) An unfaithful spouse begins accusing their partner of being unfaithful with no evidence

Rationalization

Justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less acceptable real reasons

Ex) Not receiving a promotion and brushing over it by saying “I didn’t want the extra responsibility anyways”

Reaction Formation

Reducing anxiety by adopting beliefs contrary to your own

Ex) An individual struggling with their own sexuality may develop a homophobic stance to conceal their true desires

Regression

Returning to coping strategies from less mature stages of development

Ex) A teenager or adult may begin sucking their thumb under extreme stress or after a traumatic event

Repression

Suppressing painful memories and thoughts

Ex) An adult who was abused as a child may not have conscious memories of the abuse, but may struggle with trust

Sublimation

Redirecting unacceptable desires through socially acceptable channels

Ex) A person with intense hostility channels that hostility into becoming a police officer or lawyer