Psychology: Defense Mechanisms Flashcards
(35 cards)
Even a top baseball player will sometimes strikeout an easy pitch. When this happens, his next action maybe to throw his bat or kick the water cooler with all his might
Displacement
Soldiers exposed to traumatic experiences in concentration camps during wartime sometimes had amnesia and were unable to recall any part of their ordeal.
Repression
The mother of an unwanted child may feel guilty about not welcoming her child. As a result, she may try to prove her love by becoming overindulgent and overprotective of the child.
Reaction Formation
Mrs. Brown often accuses other women of talking too much and spreading rumours. It is rather obvious to those who know her that she is revealing her own inclinations in that area.
Projection
Paul, an aggressive child, had problems in elementary school, as he would frequently fight with other children. Paul found when he entered high school that he could channel this hostility into sports such as football and soccer.
Sublimation
The habitual drinker may insist that he really doesn’t care much for the taste of the alcohol but feels that he is obligated to drink with friends “just to be sociable”.
Rationalization
Mrs. Jane can’t understand why her husband has been grumpy and irritable for the past week. It certainly isn’t her fault that he didn’t receive the anticipated promotion at the factory.
Projection
Parents might be reassured to know that children who pull wings of flies and jab puns in the dog may eventually find their niche in the areas of dentistry or surgery.
Sublimation
Mike is always trying to impress his pals with how strong and independent he has become. However, when Mike has social or emotional problems, he still want his dad to figure out the solution.
Regression
A student forgot that his dreaded final exam in geometry was scheduled for Friday. This seemed unusual as the date of the exam had been marked on his calendar for several weeks.
Repression
A boy will sometimes react against the strong sexual attraction that he feels toward girls by becoming a confirmed “woman hater”.
Reaction Formation
The majority group of a culture may blame all the various ills of society on a small minority group. This is a process termed “scapegoating” and is a factor in racial and religious prejudice.
Displacement
The individual who actually likes to have others do things for him may be quick to criticise other people for being dependent and lazy.
Projection
Janes Riley has suffered heavy financial losses recently while playing the stock market. Upon trading his big luxury car foe an old small car, James informed his associates that he bought he cheaper car to do his part in the battle against air pollution.
Rationalization
David Walters recently lost his executive position in a large corporation. Rather than seek a new job, David finds comfort and escape in drinking, as alcohol helps him forget the details of being fired.
Regression
Tory is apt to become annoyed when he recalls his earlier conviction as a Peeping Tom. Tory has left his sordid past behind and now is a busy photographer for Playboy magazine.
Sublimation
Joan has discovered an amazing coincidence in relation to her attendance at school. Every time a test in Spanish is scheduled, she oversleeps and arrives at school too late for this class.
Rationalization
Reformers may conduct campaign against pornographic literature in order to fight their own erotic interest in such material. They campaign to convince others of their purity and goodness.
Reaction Formation
Margaret is convinced that she received a ”C” in her chemistry class instead of an “A” because of widespread cheating by her fellow students. She is sure that she must be as capable in chemistry course as in her other subjects.
Rationalization
The young wife, after a bitter conflict with her husband, gives up her marriage as a failure and returns to the home of her parents. She again takes the role of an dependent child who expect la unlimited love and indulgence.
Regression
The high school teacher was criticized by the principal for having a disruptive class. When the teacher got home that night, he argued with his wife and kicked the dog.
Displacement
Adults who are sexually molested during childhood often report that all the details of the painful episode have been forgotten.
Repression
It is possible that smokers graduated from earlier stages of thumb-sucking and pencil chewing, neither of which would be acceptable behaviour in adult society. Smoking is a socially acceptable outlet for the oral need.
Sublimation
The woman with strong sexual drive may feel that most other women exhibit flirtatious behaviour or wear revealing clothes.
Projection
