Defense Mechanisms (Terminology)

Reverting back to immature behavior from an earlier stage of development

• Repression
• Regression
• Sublimation
• Displacement

Redirecting unacceptable feelings from the original source to a safer substitute target

• Repression
• regression
• displacement
• sublimation

Acting in exactly the opposite way to one’s unacceptable impulses

• Sublimation
• Projection
• Reaction Formation
• Rationalization

Replacing socially unacceptable impulses with socially acceptable behavior

• Sublimation
• projection
• rationalization
• reaction formation

Creating false excuses for one’s unacceptable feelings, thoughts, or behavior

• Sublimation
• projection
• rationalization
• reaction formation

Attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings and thoughts to others and not yourself

• sublimation
• projection
• rationalization
• reaction formation

Refusal to accept reality or fact

• Denial
• Regression
• Acting Out
• Dementia

This is when a person tries to make up for his/her weaknesses by developing strengths in other areas?

• Denial

• Humor

• Compensation

• Day Dreaming

Unknowingly placing an unpleasant memory or thought in the unconscious so that we are not anxious about them

• Repression
• Regression
• Displacement
• Sublimation

An attempt to avoid expressing actual emotions associated with a stressful situation by using the intellectual processes of logic, reasoning, and analysis

• Intellectualization

• Rationalization

• Repression

• Reaction Formation