Defense Mechanisms - Self-Esteem

Defense Mechanisms

the ways in which the ego protects the conscious mind from threatening thoughts from the unconscious

Repression

pushing thoughts out of conscious awareness

Denial

not accepting the truth

Displacement

redirecting feeling toward another person/object that is less threatening

Projection

believing your opinions and tendencies are held by other people rather than by you

Reaction Formation

expressing the opposite of how one truly feels

Regression

return to a more childish, comforting form of behavior

Rationalization

justifying or making excuses for an undesirable event or behavior

Sublimation

channeling frustration toward a different, more socially acceptable goal

Projective Tests

personality tests given to reveal a persons unconscious desires. Problem is that these tests are very subjective

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

people are given a picture of an ambiguous scene and asked to say what it is happening in the picture.

Rorschach inkblot test

people are given a picture of a blob of ink (abstract shape) and asked to say everything they see in it

Humanistic theory of personality

our personalities are shaped by innate goodness and desire to grow and thrive.

Self-actualization

People are motivated to grow and reach their full potential.

Social-Cognitive theory of personality

our personalities are shaped by our innate goodness and desire to grow and thrive

Unconditional positive regard

When we are around people we trust to love us unconditionally, we can be our true selves.

Reciprocal determinism

interaction between thoughts/feelings (cognitions), environment and behavior

Self-concept

your ideas about who you are as a person

Self-effacacy

your belief about your own ability to achieve in a specific situation

Self-esteem

your feelings of self-worth; how you feel about yourself.