Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

expressing unacceptable feelings through actions

Answer 1

acting out

immature

Question 2

behaving as if an aspect of reality does not exist

Answer 2

denial

immature

Question 3

transferring feelings to a less threatening object/person

Answer 3

displacement

immature

Question 4

focusing on non-emotional aspects to avoid distressing feelings

Answer 4

intellectualization

immature

Question 5

avoiding conflict by expressing hostility covertly

Answer 5

passive aggression

immature

Question 6

attributing one’s feelings to others

Answer 6

projection

immature

Question 7

justifying behavior to avoid difficult truths

Answer 7

rationalization

immature

Question 8

transforming unacceptable feelings/impulses into the opposite

Answer 8

reaction formation

immature

Question 9

reverting to an earlier developmental stage

Answer 9

regression

immature

Question 10

experiencing a person/situation as either all positive or all negative

Answer 10

splitting

immature

Question 11

channeling impulses into socially acceptable behavior

Answer 11

sublimation

mature

Question 12

putting unwanted feelings aside to cope with reality

Answer 12

suppression

mature