Common Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

Avoiding unacceptable feelings by behaving badly

Answer 1

Acting out

*immature*

Question 2

Behaving as if an aspect of reality does not exist

Answer 2

Denial

*immature*

Question 3

Altering perception of upsetting reality to be more acceptable

Answer 3

Distortion

*immature*

Question 4

Disrupting memory, identity & consciousness to cope with an event

Answer 4

Dissociation

*immature*

Question 5

Transferring feelings to a more acceptable object

Answer 5

Displacement

*immature*

Question 6

Substituting imaginary scenarios

Answer 6

Fantasy

*immature*

Question 7

Using intellect to avoid uncomfortable feelings

Answer 7

Intelletualization

*immature*

Question 8

Attributing one’s own feeling to others

Answer 8

Projection

*immature*

Question 9

Responding in a manner opposite to one’s actual feelings

Answer 9

Reaction formation

*immature*

Question 10

Reverting to an earlier developmental stage

Answer 10

Regression

*immature*

Question 11

Blocking upsetting feelings from entering consciousness

Answer 11

Repression

*immature*

Question 12

Seeing others as all bad or all good

Answer 12

Splitting

*immature*

Question 13

Avoiding negative feelings by helping others

Answer 13

Altruism

*mature*

Question 14

Using humor to avoid uncomfortable feelings

Answer 14

Humor

*mature*

Question 15

Channeling impulses into socially acceptable behaviors

Answer 15

Sublimation

*mature*

Question 16

Putting unwanted feelings aside to cope with reality

Answer 16

Suppresion

*mature*