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Worksheets

Defense Mechanisms

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

An overemphasis on thinking to cope with painful thoughts, emotions or impulses. The situation is viewed without emotion – in a detached objective manner.

​ ​ ​ ​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
INTELLECTUALIZATION
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
PROJECTION
RATIONALIZATION
REACTION FORMATION
REGRESSION
REPRESSION
SUBLIMATION
SUPPRESSION
2.

Redirecting negative thoughts, emotions, or behaviors onto a neutral person or object.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
DISPLACEMENT
DENIAL
REACTION FORMATION
REGRESSION
REPRESSION
SUBLIMATION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
RATIONALIZATION
SUPPRESSION
3.

Taking something positive or negative of ourselves and seeing it on another. It usually involves ​feelings or thoughts we find unacceptable.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
PROJECTION
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
RATIONALIZATION
REACTION FORMATION
REGRESSION
REPRESSION
SUBLIMATION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
SUPPRESSION
4.

Reframing an uncomfortable or painful experience as not problematic or upsetting. Used to diminish pain or guilt.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
RATIONALIZATION
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
REACTION FORMATION
REGRESSION
REPRESSION
SUBLIMATION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
SUPPRESSION
5.

A healthy redirection of an unaccepted emotion, thought or impulse into a more acceptable direction.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
SUBLIMATION
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
RATIONALIZATION
REGRESSION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
REPRESSION
REACTION FORMATION
SUPPRESSION
6.

Placing an unacceptable thought, emotion or experience out of awareness and into the unconscious where it is “forgotten”.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
REPRESSION
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
RATIONALIZATION
REACTION FORMATION
REGRESSION
SUBLIMATION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
SUPPRESSION
7.

Exhibiting the exact opposite of a reaction we find too threatening to feel or experience.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
REACTION FORMATION
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
RATIONALIZATION
REGRESSION
SUBLIMATION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
REPRESSION
SUPPRESSION
8.

Consciously choosing to block ideas or impulses that are undesirable, as opposed to repression, a subconscious process.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
SUPPRESSION
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
RATIONALIZATION
REGRESSION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
REPRESSION
REACTION FORMATION
SUBLIMATION
9.

Refusal to accept an aspect of reality that is threatening or painful.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
DENIAL
DISPLACEMENT
RATIONALIZATION
REGRESSION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
REPRESSION
REACTION FORMATION
SUBLIMATION
SUPPRESSION
10.

Moving to an earlier stage of development when confronted with unacceptable circumstance.

​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
REGRESSION
DISPLACEMENT
RATIONALIZATION
INTELLECTUALIZATION
PROJECTION
REPRESSION
REACTION FORMATION
SUBLIMATION
SUPPRESSION
DENIAL