Defense Mechanisms Flashcards

Question

what is inhibition

Answer 1

unconscious limitation of specific ego functions to avoid anxiety arising out of conflict with instinctual impulses, superego or environment--> accepting partial or modified fulfillment--> curtailment of a process or behaviour i.e person dx terminal illness discusses facts and research related to it *neurotic

Answer 2

INTRAPSYCHIC SPLITTING or separation of affect from content resulting in repression of either idea or affect, or displacement of affect to a substitute--> creation of a GAP between unacceptable aspect and other thoughts and feelings *recall questions love to emphasize how OCPD uses isolation of affect i.e victim of trauma who talks about the event. but feels no emotion *neurotic

Answer 3

JUSTIFICATION of attitudes, beliefs or behaviour that might otherwise be unacceptable by an INCORRECT application of justifying reasons--> explaining unacceptable behaviour or feeling in a rational SEEMING manner to AVOID TRUE REASONS for behaviour--> convincing self that no wrong has been done by faulty reasoning i.e student who fails exam and says there is no way they could have passed because the teacher doesnt like them *neurotic

Answer 4

management of unacceptable impulses by permitting expression of the impulse in ANTITHETICAL FORM--> behaves OPPOSITE to how one thinks/feels i.e mother who bears unwanted child and becomes overprotective / man who is rude to an unattainable woman he is attracted to *neurotic

Answer 5

withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness--> unconscious BLOCKING of unacceptable content primary = repressed before reaching consciousness secondary = once conscious, becomes later repressed often accompanied by symbolic behaviour that suggests content is not really forgotten i.e person abused as young child and doesnt remember it but has trouble forming relationships *neurotic

Answer 6

attempt to COMPENSATE for/reduce GUILT over past action symbolic i.e intentionally push past someone at a store, realize they are frail, then apologize and offer to help / mother slaps daughter in anger then kisses and cuddles her *neurotic

Answer 7

vicarious but constructive and instinctually gratifying service to others, even to detriment of self--> satisfying internal needs through helping others i.e volunteer work *mature

Answer 8

realistic anticipation of or planning for future inner discomfort--> planning for a stressful event i.e upcoming dental surgery and so uses coping statements, draws on past experiences, arranges day off work *mature

Answer 9

elimination of directly pleasurable affects attributable to an experience--> moral element is implicit in setting values on specific pleasures--> gratification is derived from the denunciation i.e monks *mature?

Answer 10

overt expression of feelings without personal discomfort, immobilization or unpleasant effect on others looking for funny, lighthearted, ironic elements--> allows one to bear and focus on what is too terrible to be borne reduces intensity of a situation distinct from wit, which involves distraction or displacement away from the affective issue *mature

Answer 11

gratification of an impulse whose goal is retained but whose aim or object is changed from a socially objectionable one to a socially valued one--> similar to displacement but done in a constructive way allows instinct to be channeled rather than dammed up or diverted (in contrast to neurotic defenses) i.e aggression is sublimated via sports *mature

Answer 12

conscious or semiconscious decision to POSTPONE attention to a conscious impulse or conflict--> delaying paying attention in order to cope with present reality, and the conflict is accessed later ie fight with partner before work, set aside until after work *mature

Answer 13

failure to bring together positive and negative qualities of self and others into a cohesive whole when an individual is unable to integrate difficult feelings, the tendency is to view people/events as all good or all bad (idealization and devaluation)--> black and white thinking i.e partner breaks up and the individual views self as completely unlovable

Answer 14

attribution of exaggerated positive qualities to self or others

Answer 15

attribution of exaggerated negative qualities to self or others

Answer 16

dealing with emotional conflict or inner/external stressors by feeling or acting as though one possesses special powers/abilities or is superior to others

Answer 17

projection onto another, then pressure projected into behaving in accordance with projection--> evoke projected thoughts/feelings from the other behaviour is altered to make projection true allows individual to distort/deny reality in order to maintain self image i.e believe you are being persecuted, and the act suspiciously

Defense Mechanisms Flashcards

(41 cards)