Key defenses

Question 1

Acting out:

Answer 1

Expressing unacceptable feelings through actions

Question 2

Denial:

Answer 2

Behaving as if an aspect of reality does not exist

Question 3

Displacement:

Answer 3

Transferring feelings to a more acceptable object

Question 4

Intellectualization:

Answer 4

Using intellect to avoid uncomfortable feelings

Question 5

Passive aggression:

Answer 5

Avoiding conflict by expressing hostility covertly

Question 6

Projection:

Answer 6

Attributing one’s own feelings to others

Question 7

Rationalization

Answer 7

Justifying behavious to avoid difficult truths

Question 8

Reaction formation

Answer 8

Responding in a manner opposite to ones actual feelings

Question 9

Regression

Answer 9

Reverting to earlier developmental stage

Question 10

Splitting:

Answer 10

Seeing othes as all bad or all good

Question 11

Sublimation

Answer 11

Channeling impulses into socially acceptable behaviours

Question 12

Suppression:

Answer 12

Voluntary withholding of a feeling from conscious awareness (when you choose not to think about something until you actually have to face it). Example-Terminally ill cancer patient puts aside his anxiety and enjoys family get together.

Question 13

Identification (Introjection):

Answer 13

Features of another person are taken in and made part of the self. Example-A child speaks with a raised voice in the way mother scolded her.