Ego Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable

Answer 1

Compensation

Question 2

Refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real situation or the feelings associated with it

Answer 2

Denial

Question 3

The transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less threatening or that is neutral

Answer 3

Displacement

Question 4

An attempt to increase self-worth by acquiring certain attributes and characteristics of an individual one admires

Answer 4

Identification

Question 5

An attempt to avoid expressing emotions associated with a stressful situation by using the intellectual processes of logic, reasoning, and analysis

Answer 5

Intellectualization

Question 6

Integrating the beliefs and values of another individual into one’s own ego structure

Answer 6

Introjection

Question 7

Separating a thought or memory from the feeling, tone, or emotion associated with it

Answer 7

Isolation

Question 8

Attributing feelings or impulses unacceptable to one’s self to another person

Answer 8

Projection

Question 9

Attempting to make excuses or formulate logical reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviours

Answer 9

Rationalization

Question 10

Preventing unacceptable or undersirable thoughts or behaviours from being expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behaviours

Answer 10

Reaction Formation

Question 11

Responding to stress by retreating to an earlier level of development and the comfort measures associated wtih that level of functioning

Answer 11

Regression

Question 12

Involuntarily blocking unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awarness

Answer 12

Repression

Question 13

Rechanneling of drives or impulses that are personally or socially unacceptable into acitvities that are constructive

Answer 13

Sublimation

Question 14

The voluntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awareness

Answer 14

Suppression

Question 15

Symbolically negating or canceling out an experience that one finds intolerable

Answer 15

Undoing

Question 16

A physically disabled boy is unable to particpate in football, so he [INSERT EGO DEFENSE] by becoming a great scholar

Answer 16

Compensation

Question 17

A woman drinks alchohol every day, cannot stop, and does not acknowledge that she has a problem

Answer 17

Denial

Question 18

A client is angry at his doctor and does not express it but becomes verbally abusive with the nurse

Answer 18

Displacement

Question 19

A teenager who required lengthy rehabilitation after an accident decides to become a physical therapist as a result of his experience

Answer 19

Identification

Question 20

Susan’s husband is being transferred with his job to a city away from her parents. She hides anxiety by explaining to her parents the advantages associated with the move

Answer 20

Intellectualization

Question 21

Children integrate their parents’ values system into the process of conscience formation. A child says to a friend, “Don’t cheat. It’s Wrong.”

Answer 21

Introjection

Question 22

A young woman describes beibng attacked and raped without any emotion

Answer 22

Isolation

Question 23

Sue feels a strong sexual attraction to her track coach and tells her friend, “He’s coming on to me!”

Answer 23

Projection

Question 24

John tells teh rehab nurse, “I drink because its the only way I can deal with my bad marriage and my worse job”

Answer 24

Rationalization

Question 25

Jane hates nursing. She attended nursing school to please her parents. During career day, she speaks to prospective nursing students about the excellence of nursing as a career

Answer 25

Reaction Formation

Question 26

When 2-year-old Jay is hospitalized for tonsilitis, he will drink only from a bottle, although his mother states he has been drinking from a cup for 6 months

Answer 26

Regression

Question 27

A trauma victim is unable to remember anything about the traumatic event

Answer 27

Repression

Question 28

A mother whose son was killed by a drunk driver channels her anger and energy into being the president of the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers

Answer 28

Sublimation

Question 29

Scarlett says, “I don’t want to think about that now. I’ll think about that tomorrow.”

Answer 29

Suppression

Question 30

Joe is nervous about his new job and yells as his wife. On his way home, he stops and buys her some flowers.

Answer 30

Undoing