Defense Mechanism

Question 1

Emotional conflict is dealt with through negative actions rather than expression of feelings (Feelings of neglect lead to getting in trouble for attention)

Answer 1

Acting Out

Question 2

Making up for real or imagined deficiencies (person who stutters becomes a writer)

Answer 2

Compensation

Question 3

Subconsciously repressing an urge by losing control of bodily function

Answer 3

Conversion

Question 4

Deterioration of Existing Defenses

Answer 4

Decompensation

Question 5

Inability to acknowledge the significance of thoughts/behaviors/etc.

Answer 5

Denial

Question 6

Attributing exaggerated negative qualities to self or another; often seen in Borderline PD.

Answer 6

Devaluation

Question 7

Separate ones self from inappropriate thoughts/impulses via amnesia, fugue states, neurosis, daydreaming, etc.

Answer 7

Dissociation

Question 8

Directing negative impulse, thought, or feeling toward a less threatening option than the source of emotion

Answer 8

Displacement

Question 9

Overestimation of an admired aspect or attribute of another

Answer 9

Idealization

Question 10

Patterning self after a significant other, affecting personality development significantly

Answer 10

Identification

Question 11

Mastering/masking anxiety and fear by identifying with powerful aggressor and behaving similarly

Answer 11

Identification With the Aggressor

Question 12

Primitive mechanism where psychic representation of a person is (or parts of a person are ) figuratively ingested

Answer 12

Incorporation

Question 13

Loss of motivation to engage in (usually pleasurable) activity

Answer 13

Inhibition

Question 14

Internalizing ideas or voices of other people

Answer 14

Introjection

Question 15

Avoiding emotions by focusing on facts or logic, sometimes using complex terminology

Answer 15

Intellectualization

Question 16

Removing emotional association from a memory by separating the unacceptable piece from the original memory source

Answer 16

Isolation of Affect

Question 17

Attributing your own feelings onto another

Answer 17

projection

Question 18

Unconsciously perceiving others’ behavior as a reflection of one’s own identity; Common in Borderline PD

Answer 18

Projective Identification

Question 19

Giving believable explanation for irrational behavior or choices

Answer 19

Rationalization

Question 20

Adopting affects and attitudes that are opposite and contradict/mask actual beliefs

Answer 20

Reaction Formation

Question 21

Return to more infantile patterns of reacting or thinking

Answer 21

Regression

Question 22

Forgetting memories that are unacceptable, uncomfortable, or negative; clinical amnesia

Answer 22

Repression

Question 23

Perceiving self and others as either all good or all bad; common in those with Borderline PD

Answer 23

Splitting

Question 24

Expression of negative feelings through a socially acceptable channel (athletics for someone with anger)

Answer 24

Sublimation

Question 25

Unattainable or unacceptable goal is replaced with a more obtainable one

Answer 25

Substitution

Question 26

Mental representation that stands in the place of something real, which may be otherwise unacceptable to the ego

Answer 26

Symbolization

Question 27

Deflecting hostile aggression or unacceptable impulse from the intended person to oneself

Answer 27

Turning Against Self

Question 28

Using words or actions to symbolically reverse or negate unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or actions

Answer 28

Undoing