Ninja Q&A - Defense mechanisms Flashcards
(30 cards)
Which defense mechanism is commonly associated with repetitive hand-washing rituals?
Undoing
Which defense mechanism involves disavowing one’s own traits or feelings by projecting them onto someone else and causing that person to unconsciously adopt them?
Projective identification
A man describes his father killing his puppy without displaying any emotion, despite the therapist’s visible reaction. Which defense mechanism is he using?
Isolation of affect
Which defense mechanism involves semi-consciously diverting attention from a conflict to reduce discomfort?
Suppression
In psychoanalytic theory, which defense mechanism is linked to feelings of being persecuted?
Projection
Which defense mechanism is most often associated with the development of delusional disorders such as paranoia in psychodynamic theory?
Projection
After learning her child was injured, a mother calmly arranges for childcare for her other children before heading to the hospital. What defense mechanism is she using?
Suppression
What defense mechanism involves temporarily reverting to earlier childhood behaviors in response to stress or conflict?
Regression
A wife in therapy works late to check and recheck her work, and her husband recalls her wishing harm on her brother before he died in a hunting accident. Which defense mechanism might explain her excessive checking?
Undoing
When a medical student blames his poor performance on the belief that his supervisor dislikes him, which defense mechanism is he using?
Rationalization
What defense mechanism helps a jealous child reduce feelings of envy by channeling energy into a different, acceptable activity?
Sublimation
Which defense mechanism occurs when someone internalizes or adopts the qualities of another person or object?
Introjection
When a patient, who has hostile feelings toward their neighbor, brings that neighbor a bouquet of flowers. What defense mechanism are they using?
Reaction formation
After an argument with his wife, a man withdraws and later accidentally falls down a flight of stairs. Which defense mechanism does this behavior represent?
Turning against self
According to psychoanalytic theory, which defense mechanism involves channeling unacceptable desires into socially approved activities?
Sublimation
If a patient dealing with her mother’s terminal illness uses anticipation as a defense mechanism, what practical step might she take?
Weekly meetings to discuss feelings about diagnosis
Which defense mechanism plays a key role in shaping obsessive-compulsive symptoms?
Reaction formation
A member of a group therapy session alternates between being the scapegoat and the spokesperson. This is an example of which defense mechanism?
Projective identification
After a conflict, a patient says, “I don’t have any negative feelings toward him, but he really hates me.” Which defense mechanism is the patient displaying?
Projection
Dissociation falls under which category of defense mechanisms?
Neurotic defenses
A patient dismisses his family’s concern for his health by saying, “It’s all just talk.” What defense mechanism is this?
Devaluing
A 7-year-old acknowledges his father’s death but asks why his father didn’t attend his birthday. Which defense mechanism is this?
Denial
According to Vaillant’s model of lifespan development, which defense mechanism is considered mature?
Humor
When confronted about his frequent drinking, a patient denies it affects his life negatively. Which defense mechanism is he using?
Denial
