Defense Mechanisms Defined
Defense Mechanisms Defined
Projection Attributing your own unacceptable A spouse may be angry at their significant other
thoughts or feelings to someone or for not listening, when in fact it is the angry
something else spouse who does not listen.
Acting Out Performing an extreme behavior in order Instead of saying, “I’m angry with you,” a person
to express thoughts or feelings the person who acts out may instead throw a book at the
feels incapable of otherwise expressing. person, or punch a hole through a wall.
Justifying one's behaviors and motivations I always study hard for tests and I know a lot of
Rationalization
by substituting "good", acceptable reasons people who cheat so it's not a big deal I cheated
for these real motivations. this time.
Focusing on funny aspects of a painful A person's treatment for cancer makes him lose
Humor situation. his hair so he makes jokes about being bald.
The effort to hide and control unacceptable You are attracted to someone but say that you
Suppression thoughts or feelings really don't like the person at all
Undoing is the attempt to take back an After realizing you just insulted your significant
unconscious behavior or thought that is other unintentionally, you might spend the next
Undoing unacceptable or hurtful. hour praising their beauty, charm and intellect.