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Defense Mechanisms Defined

The document describes various psychological defense mechanisms. Repression involves burying painful feelings from awareness, though they may resurface symbolically. Denial is not accepting reality because it is too painful. Regression is reverting to an earlier developmental stage in response to unacceptable thoughts. Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
215 views

Defense Mechanisms Defined

The document describes various psychological defense mechanisms. Repression involves burying painful feelings from awareness, though they may resurface symbolically. Denial is not accepting reality because it is too painful. Regression is reverting to an earlier developmental stage in response to unacceptable thoughts. Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to others.

Uploaded by

katrinasd
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as XLSX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Communication

Technique Description Example

Burying a painful feeling or thought from


Repression You can't remember your father's funeral.
your awareness though it may resurface in
symbolic form. Sometimes considered a
basis of other defense mechanisms.
You are arrested for drunk driving several times
Not accepting reality because it is too but don't believe you have a problem with
Denial painful. alcohol.

The reversion to an earlier stage of


An adolescent who is overwhelmed with fear,
Regression development in the face of unacceptable
anger and growing sexual impulses might start
thoughts or impulses.
exhibiting earlier childhood behaviors he has long
since overcome, such as bedwetting.

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.

Channeling a feeling or thought from its


Displacement actual source to something or someone The man who gets angry at his boss, but can’t
else. express his anger to his boss for fear of being
fired. He instead comes home and kicks the dog
or starts an argument with his wife.
Adopting beliefs, attitudes, and feelings
Reaction Formation contrary to what you really believe You say you're not angry when you really are.

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

Making up for a deficiency in one aspect


Compensation of self-image by strongly emphasizing a
feature considered an asset A person says, “I may not know how to cook, but
I can sure do the dishes!”

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.

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