psych - ego defenses

Question 1

expressing unacceptable feelings and thoughts through actions (actions are destructive)

ex: tantrums

Answer 1

acting out

Question 2

avoiding the awareness of some painful reality

ex: rxn to new dx of AIDS or cancer

Answer 2

denial

Question 3

transferring voided ideas and feelings to neutral person or object

ex: mother yells at child because husband yelled at her

Answer 3

displacement

Question 4

temporary, drastic change in personality, memory, consciousness, or motor behavior to avoid emotional stress

detachment from reality

extreme forms can result in dissociative identity d/o

Answer 4

dissociation

Question 5

partially remaining at a more childish level of development

ex: adults fixating on video games

Answer 5

fixation

Question 6

modeling behavior after another person who is more powerful (though not necessarily admired)

ex: abused child identifies w/ abuser

Answer 6

identification

Question 7

separating feelings from ideas and events

ex: describing murder in graphic detail w/ no emotional response

Answer 7

isolation (of affect)

Question 8

expressing negativity and performing below what is expected as an indirect show of opposition

ex: disgruntled employee is repeatedly late to work

Answer 8

passive aggression

Question 9

attributing an unacceptable internal impulse to an external source

ex: a man who wants another woman accuses his wife of cheating

Answer 9

projection

Question 10

proclaiming a warded-off idea or feeling by an (unconsciously derived) emphasis on its opposite

ex: pt with libidinous thoughts enters a monastery

Answer 10

reaction formation

Question 11

proclaiming logical reasons for actions actually performed for other reasons, usually to avoid self blame

“convenient excuse”

ex: after getting fired, states the job wasnt important anyways

Answer 11

rationalization

Question 12

turning back maturational clock and going back to earlier modes of dealing with the world

ex: bedwetting in previously potty-trained child

Answer 12

regression

Question 13

involuntary withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness

Answer 13

repression

Question 14

believing that people are either all good or all bad at different times due to intolerance of ambiguity

Answer 14

splitting

Question 15

alleviating negative feelings via unsolicited generosity

ex: mafia boss gives large donation to charity

Answer 15

altruism

Question 16

appreciating the amusing nature of an anxiety-provoking or adverse situation

Answer 16

humor

Question 17

replacing an unacceptable wish with a course of action that is similar to the wish but does not conflict with one’s value system

ex: aggression redirected into a workout

Answer 17

sublimation

Question 18

intentionally withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness, temporary

ex: choosing not to worry about the big game until time to play

Answer 18

suppression