Defense Mechanisms

 They Often Appear Unconsciously

 They Tend To Distort, Transform Or Falsify Reality

 Compartmentalization
Is a process of separating parts of the self from awareness of other
parts and behaving as if one had separate sets of values. An
example might be an honest person who cheats on income tax
return and keeps their two value systems. There might be a person
who says prayers but at the same time receives money by illegal
means.

 Compensation
It is a process of psychologically counterbalancing perceived
weaknesses by emphasizing strength in other areas. The "I'm not a
fighter, I'm a lover" philosophy can be an example of
compensation.

• Denial
Denial is the refusal to accept reality and to act as if a painful
event, thought or feeling did not exist. E.g.: denying that your
physician's diagnosis of cancer is correct and seeking
a second opinion

 Displacement
It is the redirecting of thoughts feelings and impulses from an
object that gives rise to anxiety to a safer one. Taking out
impulses on a less threatening target Being angry at the boss
and hitting the children can be an example of displacement.

 Fantasy
Imagining the unacceptable and unattainable desires.
 Intellectualization
Avoiding unacceptable emotions by focusing on the
intellectual aspects. Focusing on the details of a funeral as
opposed to the sadness and grief,

Projection

Projection is attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts

or feelings to someone else. you might hate someone and
u end up saying that he hates me.

Rationalization
Rationalization is supplying a logical or rational reason as
opposed to the real reason. A guy who smokes would
explain his smoking as an act of being sociable.

 Reaction Formation
Is the converting of wishes or impulses that are perceived to be
dangerous into their opposites. If a person feels enmity against
someone he behaves very friendly, opposite reaction to what one
is actually feeling.

 Regression

Returning to a previous stage of development. When six-

year-old Jamaal gets less attention from his parents
because of a new baby brother, he suddenly starts
thumb sucking.

Sublimation

Sublimation is channeling unacceptable thoughts and

feelings into socially acceptable behavior. Sublimating
 your aggressive impulses toward a career as a boxer;
becoming a surgeon because of your desire to cut.

Repression
Repression is the blocking of unacceptable impulses from
consciousness. Forgetting a traumatic incident.

 Undoing
Undoing is the attempt to take back behavior or thoughts that are
unacceptable. An example of undoing would be excessively
praising someone after having insulted them.