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LCSW Exam Prep > Defense mechanisms > Flashcards

Defense mechanisms Flashcards

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1
Q

What do psychological defense mechanisms help the ego cope with?

A

Anxiety, frustration, and unacceptable impulses

They provide a means to manage emotional distress.

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2
Q

How do psychological defense mechanisms relieve tension?

A

By balancing inner psychological reality and external world demands

They serve to mediate between internal feelings and external pressures.

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3
Q

Which defense mechanisms are considered primitive defenses?

A

Denial, reaction formation, and projection

These defenses are less aligned with reality.

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4
Q

Which defense mechanisms are considered mature defenses?

A

Sublimation, undoing, rationalization, displacement, identification, and intellectualization

These mechanisms indicate higher levels of psychological functioning.

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5
Q

What is unique about each person’s psychological defenses?

A

Each person has a unique set of psychological defenses that make up their personality

This uniqueness influences their coping strategies and reactions.

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6
Q

What is rationalization in psychological terms?

A

A defense process by which plausible reasons justify an action or opinion

It is often used to cope with disappointment.

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7
Q

How does rationalization help a person cope with disappointments?

A

By blaming external circumstances

This allows individuals to avoid personal accountability.

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: A person is using rationalization when they say, ‘I’ll be better off at a _______ company.’

A

different

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9
Q

Fill in the blank: An abused spouse may rationalize hitting their children as ‘________’ after being hit by their spouse.

A

punishment

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10
Q

True or False: Rationalization can lead to a healthier understanding of personal actions.

A

False

Rationalization often distorts reality and avoids accountability.

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11
Q

What is repression?

A

Repression refuses to let unacceptable impulses into conscious awareness.

Repression is a defense mechanism identified in psychoanalytic theory.

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12
Q

Give an example of repression involving sexual attraction.

A

A person feels sexually attracted to members of the same sex but pushes the thought away, later dreaming about such impulses.

This illustrates how repressed thoughts can manifest in dreams.

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13
Q

How might a person use food to repress feelings?

A

After years of celibacy, the person begins to eat copious amounts of food to repress unacceptable sexual feelings.

This demonstrates the use of behavior (eating) to avoid confronting emotional issues.

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14
Q

What is an example of repression in a child’s behavior?

A

A young boy exhibits repression when he has a phobia of dogs but cannot remember the event that caused his fear.

This indicates that the fear is rooted in a repressed memory.

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15
Q

What is denial?

A

Denial distorts/refuses to accept reality.

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16
Q

How does denial differ from repression?

A

Denial acts like something didn’t happen, while repression is like forgetting something bad happened.

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17
Q

What would be an example of repression following a car accident?

A

Forgetting that the accident ever happened.

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18
Q

What would be an example of denial following a car accident?

A

Acting as though the deceased child is still alive.

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19
Q

Is denial common in very young children?

A

No, it is uncommon because they cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality.

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20
Q

Give an example of denial in health behavior.

A

Continuing to eat unhealthy foods despite doctor’s orders.

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21
Q

What does it mean when an alcoholic is said to be in denial?

A

Attending a recovery program while continuing to drink alcohol.

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22
Q

What is projection?

A

Projection places unacceptable feelings onto another person.

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23
Q

How does projection function as a two-way street?

A

Person A has feelings about Person B and accuses Person B of having those feelings instead.

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24
Q

Provide an example of projection in a relationship.

A

Accusing a spouse of being angry instead of expressing one’s own anger.

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25
What is an example of projection in a workplace setting?
Complaining about a coworker's anxieties while feeling anxious oneself.
26
How does a person use projection regarding self-image?
Complaining that no one likes him while not liking himself or others.
27
What is an example of projection related to weight?
Telling a friend they look like they have gained weight instead of acknowledging one's own weight gain.
28
What is displacement in psychology?
Displacement is a defense mechanism in which affect is transferred from one object to another. ## Footnote This mechanism involves shifting emotions from the original source to a safer target.
29
How many parties are typically involved in displacement?
Three parties/situations are typically involved: Person A, Person B, and Person C. ## Footnote Person A has feelings about Person B but expresses those feelings towards Person C.
30
Provide an example of displacement involving a family.
A man yells at his kids when he is upset with his spouse. ## Footnote This illustrates how feelings towards one person can be redirected to another.
31
Fill in the blank: A person uses displacement by compulsively eating _______ after they quit smoking.
lollipops ## Footnote This is a common example of substituting one behavior for another.
32
What behavior might indicate displacement related to feelings of shame?
Compulsively washing hands after being shamed for masturbating. ## Footnote This reflects a shift of anxiety or guilt onto a different action.
33
What is projective identification?
Projective identification takes projection a step further, with the person who has been projected onto believing the projection. ## Footnote This involves the dynamic where the projected individual starts to align their behavior with the projection due to manipulation or insecurities.
34
Provide an example of projective identification.
If a person has gained weight but tells a friend that it looks like the friend has gained weight, and the friend starts believing it and behaves accordingly. ## Footnote This could lead the friend to eat more and actually gain weight.
35
What happens in the projective identification example involving a supervisor?
A supervisor insecure about their skills accuses supervisees of inadequate work, leading them to feel insecure and perform worse. ## Footnote This exemplifies how projection can influence others' self-perception and performance.
36
Define intellectualization.
Intellectualization is a process by which content is separated from repressed affect. ## Footnote This allows individuals to discuss emotionally charged topics in a detached, factual manner.
37
How might a person use intellectualization when discussing trauma?
A person may speak of their traumatic childhood as if reading a scripted story. ## Footnote This detachment helps them avoid confronting their emotional pain directly.
38
Give an example of intellectualization in the context of PTSD.
A victim of sexual assault may research factual PTSD criteria instead of addressing her emotional pain in therapy. ## Footnote This highlights the avoidance of emotional processing through intellectual engagement.
39
What is asceticism characterized by?
Rigor and self-denial
40
How might an adult use asceticism in a professional context?
By refusing to eat or sleep until a major work project is complete
41
How can an adolescent use asceticism to cope with sexual tension?
By refusing to engage in all pleasurable activities
42
What does sublimation involve?
Displacing unacceptable instincts for constructive and socially acceptable behaviors
43
How might a person with major depression use sublimation?
By using professional dance to help sublimate suicidal thoughts
44
What is an example of sublimation in relation to aggressive impulses?
Becoming a kickboxing instructor
45
What is introjection?
The internalization of outside events or characteristics of other people. ## Footnote Introjection can involve adopting behaviors or beliefs from others, often as a means of self-protection.
46
How may a victim use introjection?
To identify with the aggressor's behaviors to help protect themselves. ## Footnote This can be a psychological coping mechanism.
47
Give an example of introjection in everyday behavior.
A person puts on their seat belt before driving because they have internalized the voice of authority figures telling them to buckle up. ## Footnote This reflects learned behaviors based on external influences.
48
What does it mean to internalize the concept that 'boys don’t cry'?
To adopt this idea from the environment, which shapes one's worldview without necessarily identifying with the source. ## Footnote This internalization can influence emotional expression and societal expectations.
49
What is identification?
A process by which qualities of an external object are absorbed into one's personality. ## Footnote Identification often involves emulating characteristics or behaviors of others.
50
How are introjection/internalization and identification related?
They are similar and on a continuum; introjection can lead to identification over time. ## Footnote Understanding this connection is important for recognizing psychological development.
51
Provide an example of identification.
A Bruce Lee fan becomes a disciplined martial arts champion. ## Footnote This illustrates how admiration can influence personal growth and identity.
52
What is an example of a young person using identification?
Deciding to follow in their father's footsteps and becoming a lawyer. ## Footnote This reflects the influence of parental role models on career choices.
53
True or False: Introjection and identification are completely different concepts.
False ## Footnote They are closely related and often overlap in psychological processes.
54
Fill in the blank: Introjection can lead to _______ over time.
identification ## Footnote This highlights the progression from internalizing external influences to adopting them as part of one's identity.
55
What is reaction formation?
A process by which unacceptable impulses are expressed as their opposites.
56
How does reaction formation help individuals?
It helps release anxiety and guilt associated with the true impulse.
57
Give an example of reaction formation in the workplace.
A supervisee who despises their supervisor being overly nice to them.
58
How might a parent exhibit reaction formation towards an unwanted child?
By being very overprotective or overly loving towards that child.
59
What is a specific example of reaction formation in sexual orientation?
A man who is gay openly dating women and criticizing gay men.
60
What is undoing?
A process by which we avoid being punished for undesirable thoughts or actions.
61
How does undoing differ from reaction formation?
In undoing, a person tries to 'undo' a thought, feeling, or behavior they have already had, rather than hiding true feelings.
62
Provide an example of undoing.
A spouse unconsciously undoes his many adulterous acts by buying his partner lavish gifts.
63
Fill in the blank: A person is overly nice to someone she just ______ in her mind.
insulted
64
True or False: Undoing involves hiding true feelings.
False
65
What is the goal of the undoing process?
To avoid being punished for undesirable thoughts or actions.

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