Defense Mechanisms - WLB Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Defense Mechanisms - WLB Deck (18)
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1
Q

Acting out

A

Immature

Expressing unacceptable feelings through actions

e.g. destructive behavior, tantrums, drinking

2
Q

Denial

A

Immature

Behaving as if an aspect of reality does not exist. Denying reality.

e.g. reaction of newly diagnosed HIV or cancer patient

3
Q

Displacement

A

Immature

Transferring feelings to a more acceptable object or neutral person.

e.g. yelling at child after spouse yells at them

4
Q

Intellectualization

A

Immature

Using intellect to avoid uncomfortable feelings

e.g. Cancer pt focusing only on rates of survival.

5
Q

Passive aggression

A

Immature

Avoiding conflict by expressing hostility covertly

6
Q

Projection

A

Immature

Attributing one’s own feelings to others (although they may be opposite of others)

e.g. man who wants to cheat on his wife accuses his wife of being unfaithful.

7
Q

Rationalization

A

Immature

Justifying behavior to avoid difficult truths. Avoid self-blame.

e.g. claiming you didn’t like job after getting fired

8
Q

Reaction formation

A

Immature

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

Responding in a manner opposite to one’s actual feelings

e.g. pt with promiscuous thoughts enters the monastery

9
Q

Regression

A

Immature

Reverting to earlier developmental stage

e.g. bedwetting in previously toilet-trained pt

10
Q

Splitting

A

Immature

Seeing others as all good or all bad

11
Q

Sublimation

A

Mature

Channeling impulses into socially acceptable behaviors

e.g. teenage aggression redirected to perform well in sports

12
Q

Suppression

A

Mature

Intentionally putting unwanted feelings aside to cope with reality

e.g. choosing not to worry about a test until test day

13
Q

Dissociation

A

Immature

Temporary, drastic change in personality, memory, consciousness, or motor behavior to avoid emotional stress. Detachment.

Extreme forms => multiple personality disorder

14
Q

Fixation

A

Immature

Partially remaining at a more childish leve of development

e.g. Adults fixating on video games

15
Q

Identification

A

Immature

Modeling behavior after another person who is more powerful – although not necessarily admired. Assimilates.

e.g. abused child later becomes a child abuser

16
Q

Isolation

A

Immature

Separating feelings from ideas and events

e.g. Describing murder in graphic detail with no emotional response. Used by medical professionals.

17
Q

Repression

A

Immature

Involuntary withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness

e.g. 20-year-old does not remember going to counseling during his parent’s divorce 10 years earlier

18
Q

Altruism

A

Mature

Alleviating negative feelings via unsolicited generosity.

e.g. Mafia boss makes large donations to charity