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 their income tax return and keeps their two value systems
distinct and unintegrated while remaining unconscious of the cognitive dissonance.

Compensation is a process of psychologically counterbalancing perceived weaknesses

by emphasizing strength in other arenas. The "I'm not a fighter, I'm a lover" philosophy
can be an example of compensation as can the Napoleonic complex.

Denial is the refusal to accept reality and to act as if a painful event, thought or feeling
did not exist. It is considered one of the most primitive of the defense mechanisms
because it is characteristic of very early childhood development.

Displacement is the redirecting of thoughts feelings and impulses from an object that
gives rise to anxiety to a safer, more acceptable one. Being angry at the boss and
kicking the dog can be an example of displacement.

Fantasy, when used as a defense mechanism, is the channeling of unacceptable or

unattainable desires into imagination. This can protect ones self esteem as when
educational, vocational or social expectations are not being met, one imagines success
in these areas and wards off self condemnation.

Intellectualization is the use of a cognitive approach without  the attendant emotions to

suppress and attempt to gain mastery over the perceived disorderly and potentially
overwhelming impulses. An example might be an individual who when told they had a
life threatening disease focuses exclusively on the statistical percentages of recovery
and is unable to cope with their fear and sadness.

Projection is the attribution of one's undesired impulses onto another. Thus, an angry
spouse accuses their partner of hostility.

Rationalization is the cognitive reframing of ones perceptions to protect the ego in the
face of changing realities. Thus, the promotion one wished fervently for and didn't get
becomes "a dead end job for brown nosers and yes men".

Reaction Formation is the converting of wishes or impulses that are perceived to be

dangerous into their opposites. A woman who is furious at her child and wishes her
harm might become overly concerned and protective of the child's health.

Regression is the reversion to an earlier stage of development in the face of

unacceptable impulses. For an example an adolescent who is overwhelmed with fear,
anger and growing sexual impulses might become clinging and begin thumb sucking or
bed wetting.

Repression is the blocking of unacceptable impulses from consciousness.

Sublimation is the channeling of unacceptable impulses into more acceptable outlets.

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.

  1. Acting Out

 Acting out refers to repeating certain actions to ward off anxiety without weighing the
possible consequences of those action.
 Example: A husband gets angry with his wife and starts staying at work later.

 Compensation

 Also called substitution.

 It involves trying to make up for feelings of inadequacy or frustration in one area by
excelling or overindulging in another.
 Example: An adolescent takes up jogging because he failed to make the swimming team.

 Denial

 A person in denial protects himself from reality – especially the unpleasant aspects of life
– by refusing to perceive, acknowledge, or face it.
 Example: A woman newly diagnosed with end-stage-cancer says, “I’ll be okay, it’s not a
big deal”.

 Displacement

 In displacement, the person redirects his impulses (commonly anger) from the real target
(because that target is too dangerous) to a safer but innocent person.
 Example: A patient yells at a nurse after becoming angry at his mother for not calling
him.

 Fantasy

 Fantasy refers to creation of unrealistic or improbable images as a way of escaping from

daily pressures and responsibilities or to relieve boredom.
 Example: A person may daydream excessively, watch TV for hours on end, or imagine
being highly successful when he feels unsuccessful. Engaging in such activities makes
him feel better for a brief period.

 Identification

 In identification, the person unconsciously adopts the personality characteristics,

attitudes, values, and behavior of someone else (such as a hero he emulates and admires)
as a way to allay anxiety. He may identify with a group to be more accepted by them.
  Example: An adolescent girl begins to dress and act like her favorite pop star.

 Intellectualization

 Also called isolation.

 Intellectualization refers to hiding one’s emotional responses or problems under a façade
of big words and pretending there’s no problem.
 Example: After failing to obtain a job promotion, a worker explains that the position
failed to meet his expectations for climbing the corporate ladder.

 Introjection

 A person introjects when he adopts someone else’s values and standards without
exploring whether they fit him.
 Example: An individual begins to follow a strict vegetarian diet for no apparent reason.

 Projection

 In projection, the person attributes to others his own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and
impulses.
 Example: A student who fails a test blames his parents for having the television on too
loud when he was trying to study.

 Rationalization

 Rationalization occurs when a person substitutes acceptable reasons for the real or actual
reasons that are motivating his behavior.
 The rationalizing patient makes excuses for shortcomings and avoids self-condemnation,
displacements, and criticisms.
 Example: An individual states that she didn’t win the race because she hadn’t gotten a
good night’s sleep.

 Reaction Formation

 In reaction formation, the person behaves the opposite of the way he feels.
 Example: Love turns to hate and hate into love.

 Regression

 Under stress, a person may regress by returning to the behaviors he used in an earlier,
more comfortable time in his life.
 Example: A previously toilet-trained preschool child begins to wet his bed every night
after his baby brother is born.

 Repression
  Repression refers to unconsciously blocking out painful or unacceptable thoughts and
feelings, leaving them to operate in the subconscious.
 Example: A woman who was sexually abused as a young child can’t remember the abuse
but experiences uneasy feelings when she goes near the place where the abuse occurred.

 Sublimation

 In sublimation, a person transforms unacceptable needs in acceptable ambitions and

actions.
 Example: He may channel his sex drive into his sports or hobbies.

 Undoing

 In undoing, the person tries to undo the harm he feels he has done to others.
 Example: A patient who says something bad about a friend may try to undo the harm by
saying nice things about her or by being nice to her and apologizing