Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Reality anxiety

Answer 1

Most basic form of anxiety; typically based on fears of real and possible events. Most common way of reducing tension from reality anxiety is taking oneself away from the situation.

Question 2

Neurotic anxiety

Answer 2

comes from an unconscious fear that basic impulses of the ID (primitive part of personality) will take control of the person, leading to eventual punishment

Question 3

Moral anxiety

Answer 3

comes from fear of violating values and moral codes and appears as feelings of guilt or shame

Question 4

Defense mechanism

Answer 4

Developed by Freud; to describe how the Ego tries to handle conflict between the Id, the Ego and the Superego. When anxiety occurs, mind first responds to an increase in problem-solving thinking, seeking rational ways to escape situation. If not successful, can trigger a defense mechanism.

Question 5

Defense mechanism common properties:

Answer 5

• -Often appear unconsciously

- -Tend to distort, transform or otherwise falsify reality

Question 6

Denial

Answer 6

Claiming/believe that what is true to be actually false. Simply refusing to acknowledge that an event has occurred. A form of repression.

Question 7

Displacement

Answer 7

Redirecting emotions to a substitute target. Shifting of actions from a desired target to a substitute target when there is a reason why the first target is not permitted or available.

Question 8

Intellectualization

Answer 8

Taking an objective viewpoint. Person avoids uncomfortable emotions by focusing on facts and logic.

Question 9

Projection

Answer 9

Attributing uncomfortable feelings to others. When a person has uncomfortable thought or feelings, they may project these onto other people.

• -neurotic projection: perceiving others as operating in ways one unconsciously finds objectionable in oneself
• -Complementary projection: assuming that others do, think and feel in the same way as you
• -Complimentary projection: assuming that others can do things as well as you

Question 10

Rationalization

Answer 10

Creating false by credible justifications. When something happens that we find difficult to accept, then we will make up a logical reason why it has happened. Target is usually something we have done.

Question 11

Reaction formation

Answer 11

Overacting in the opposite way to the fear. Occurs when a person feels an urge to do or say something and then actually does or says something that is effectively the opposite of what they really went. Also appears as a defense against a feared social punishment.

Question 12

Regression

Answer 12

Going back to acting as a child, rather than acting in a more adult way. Usually in response to stressful situations.

Question 13

Repression

Answer 13

Pushing uncomfortable thoughts into the subconscious. When things occur that we are unable to cope with now, we push them away, either planning to deal with them at another time or hoping that they will fade away on their own accord.

Question 14

Sublimination

Answer 14

Redirecting “wrong” urges into socially acceptable actions.