Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Reaction Formation

Answer 1

Acting opposite of true feelings - Helga from Hey Arnold

Question 2

Sublimation

Answer 2

Replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy/acceptable behavior
Ex: Working out to relieve anger

Question 3

Substitution

Answer 3

Expectation management
Ex: Unable to reach goal line, move goal line - wants A+ in class, unable to due to amount of work, new goal is B+

Question 4

Displacement

Answer 4

Taking emotion out on someone else when they’re not the reason behind the emotion
Ex: Boss upset you, takes out on spouse

Question 5

Projection

Answer 5

Accusation of what they’re thinking/feeling on someone else

Question 6

Projective Identification

Answer 6

Person starts to identify with a projection placed on them

Question 7

Introjection

Answer 7

Adopting other’s voice (beliefs, thoughts, views) as their own
Ex: calling child stupid, child internalizes

Question 8

Repression

Answer 8

Unconsciously “pushes down/keeps from coming up” distressing/uncomfortable thoughts/feelings
Ex: Can’t remember trauma

Question 9

Suppression

Answer 9

Refusing to acknowledge uncomfortable thoughts/feelings
Ex: changing the topic, ignoring, refusing to talk about, doesn’t want to remember, “out of sight, out of mind”

Question 10

Compensation

Answer 10

One aspect of their life is seen as “weak/shortcoming” and thus will compensate (make up for it) in another area of their life
Ex: small boto, big truck

Question 11

Decompensation

Answer 11

Breakdown in an individual’s defense mechanism, resulting in progressive loss of normal functioning or worsening of psychiatric symptoms
Ex: person with schizophrenia - decompensates when symptoms increase
Associated with BPD

Question 12

Rationalization

Answer 12

Justifying something. Try and make sense of what happened with logic. Can be viewed as an excuse on why something played out the way it did.

Question 13

Intellectualization

Answer 13

Using logic and reason to avoid uncomfortable emotions. Gain/learn info to change focus on “what needs to be done” instead of facing what is happening.

Question 14

Identifying with Aggressor

Answer 14

Person manages uncomfortable emotions by being/acting like aggressor to feel powerful
Ex: bullied person bully’s others

Question 15

Conversion

Answer 15

Uncomfortable emotion converts into physiological symptoms (numbness, paralyzed, tremors)
Ex: Speaking in public = anxiety = sweating, increased heart rate

Question 16

Identification

Answer 16

Identify with someone else and acts like that person - mimics/copies patterns/behavior

Question 17

Undoing

Answer 17

“Undo/make right/make up for” undesirable thoughts/behaviors
Ex: cheating spouse buys jewelry for faithful spouse so feelings aren’t weighing heavy

Question 18

Ascetism

Answer 18

Rigor and self denial. Someone who engages in extreme self-discipline and refuses to engage in anything pleasurable/enjoyable.
Ex: cannot enjoy fun activity until work is completed.

Question 19

Splitting

Answer 19

Black and white, no gray. “All good” or “all bad.”
Associated with BPD.

Question 20

Regression

Answer 20

Opposite of progress, move backwards.
Ex: Do an old behavior

Question 21

Isolation of Affect

Answer 21

Recalling an event, isolating (separating) their affect (feeling/emotion/mood) from situation
Ex: Talking about big trauma and call recall with no big feelings

Question 22

Idealization

Answer 22

Exaggerate/overestimates positive attributes, minimizes imperfections/shortcomings of a person, place, thing, situation
Ex: sports fans hope for team “we’re going to win this year, just need to do X, Y, Z.”
Associated with BPD

Question 23

Devaluation

Answer 23

Devalue something or themselves, characterizing them/others/objects as completely worthless, flawed or exaggerate negative qualities
Associated with BPD

Question 24

Symbolization

Answer 24

Using one thing as a symbol to represent another thing
Ex: soldier wanting to “defend the flag” as a symbol to join the military

Question 25

Turning against Self

Answer 25

Someone becomes their own substitute target, normally negative (hatred, anger, aggression)
Freudian explanation for many of our feelings of inferiority, guilt, depression
Ex: my spouse cheated, it’s my fault

Question 26

Incorporation

Answer 26

Person starts to incorporate (take on) characteristics of another person or parts of another person for themselves
Ex: walk, talk, mannerisms

Question 27

Inhibition

Answer 27

Loss of motivation to do something (usually pleasurable) because it will most likely result in other consequences. Protective factor.
Ex: Inhibit desire to hit someone in heated argument

Question 28

Disassociation

Answer 28

When individual disassociates or disconnects from themselves and their own thoughts/feelings/memories/sense of identity. Often happens in traumatic event.