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Defense Mechanisms

Total questions: 53

Worksheet time: 29mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Defense mechanisms are described as a way of protecting ourselves and as short‑term, temporary ways the mind deals with stress. Which statement best captures this description?

a)

They are long‑term personality traits that permanently change behavior

b)

They are short‑term mental strategies people use to protect themselves from stress

c)

They are medical treatments prescribed to reduce anxiety

d)

They are communication skills used to solve conflicts with others

2.

Refusing to admit an emotion is an example of which defense mechanism?

a)

Denial

b)

Projection

c)

Rationalization

d)

Compensation

3.

Assuming the qualities of someone you admire illustrates which defense mechanism?

a)

Identification

b)

Regression

c)

Displacement

d)

Daydreaming

4.

Making up for weaknesses in one area by excelling in another defines which defense mechanism?

a)

Compensation

b)

Sublimation

c)

Reaction Formation

d)

Denial

5.

Making excuses for unacceptable actions or feelings is which defense mechanism?

a)

Rationalization

b)

Projection

c)

Identification

d)

Displacement

6.

Putting your own faults onto someone else—blaming them for what you feel or do—represents which defense mechanism?

a)

Projection

b)

Compensation

c)

Daydreaming

d)

Sublimation

7.

Fantasizing to escape an unpleasant reality describes which defense mechanism?

a)

Daydreaming

b)

Regression

c)

Displacement

d)

Identification

8.

Transferring emotions from the original source to another target is which defense mechanism?

a)

Displacement

b)

Projection

c)

Reaction Formation

d)

Denial

9.

Behaving in a manner opposite to the way you are feeling is which defense mechanism?

a)

Reaction Formation

b)

Compensation

c)

Rationalization

d)

Sublimation

10.

Reverting to immature, child‑like behavior to express emotions is which defense mechanism?

a)

Regression

b)

Identification

c)

Displacement

d)

Daydreaming

11.

Directing your energy into a useful rather than an unacceptable goal is which defense mechanism?

a)

Sublimation

b)

Compensation

c)

Projection

d)

Denial

12.

Match each defense mechanism to the key term listed on the notes page. Use the provided pairs to align mechanisms with their concise cues.

a)

Denial

1.

No! Refuse to admit

b)

Identification

2.

Admire, Identify

c)

Compensation

3.

Make up for…

d)

Rationalization

4.

Reasons, Excuses

e)

Projection

5.

Blame, fault

13.

Match each defense mechanism to its concise cue from the second key‑terms list.

a)

Daydreaming

1.

Imagine, Fantasize

b)

Displacement

2.

Wrong place

c)

Reaction Formation

3.

Two‑faced, opposite

d)

Regression

4.

Immature, child‑like

e)

Sublimation

5.

beLOW‑high, Bad‑good

14.
The girl who was not invited to the school dance told her friends that she would not have attended if asked. She said that her teachers had assigned more homework than usual and that she was simply too busy for any unimportant social functions.
a)
denial
b)
projection
c)
rationalization
d)
sublimation
15.

A person transfers the emotions he or she feels from the original situation or object to another situation or object?

a)

Daydreaming

b)

Denial

c)

Projection

d)

Displacement

16.

A person transfers the emotions he or she feels from the original situation or object to another situation or object?

a)

Daydreaming

b)

Denial

c)

Projection

d)

Displacement

17.
Mrs. Scott can’t understand why her husband has been so grumpy and irritable for the past week. It certainly isn’t her fault that he didn’t get to play in last weeks basketball game. 
a)
denial
b)
displacement 
c)
sublimatin
d)
reaction formation
18.
This situation is a good example of which defense mechanism? "It's OK to post hurtful comments online because everyone does it."
a)
Denial
b)
Reaction Formation
c)
Rationalization
d)
Compensation
19.

Defense mechanisms are behaviors that an individual might use to cope with an uncomfortable situation or problem.

a)

True

b)

False

20.

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

a)

Denial

b)

Humor

c)

Compensation

d)

Day Dreaming

21.

Refusal to accept reality is what?

a)

Projection

b)

Compensation

c)

Denial

d)

Regression

22.

A person transfers the emotions he or she feels from the original situation or object to another situation or object?

a)

Daydreaming

b)

Denial

c)

Projection

d)

Displacement

23.

A person shifts the blame and/or responsibility for his/her actions or thoughts to another person?

a)

Projection

b)

Compensation

c)

Regression

d)

Repression

24.

An attempt to justify one’s actions with an excuse rather than by admitting one’s failure or mistake?

a)

Denial

b)

Repression

c)

Regression

d)

Rationalization

25.

Retreating to an earlier time that seems less threatening and requires less responsibility?

a)

Regression

b)

Rationalization

c)

Repression

d)

Compensation

26.
 Mrs. Brown often accuses other women of talking too much and spreading rumors. It is rather obvious to those who know her that she is revealing her own inclinations in that area.
a)
sublimation
b)
reaction formation
c)
denial
d)
projection
27.
 Regina, an aggressive child, had problems in elementary school, as she would frequently fight with other children. Regina found when she entered high school that she could channel this hostility into sports such as lacrosse and soccer.
a)
projection
b)
sublimation
c)
repression
d)
regression
28.
The girl who was not invited to the school dance told her friends that she would not have attended if asked. She said that her teachers had assigned more homework than usual and that she was simply too busy for any unimportant social functions.
a)
denial
b)
projection
c)
rationalization
d)
sublimation
29.
Lucas really hates his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, but when he sees him at the basketball court he pretends they are bros. 
a)
reaction formation
b)
denial
c)
displacement
d)
projection
30.
Mrs. Scott can’t understand why her husband has been so grumpy and irritable for the past week. It certainly isn’t her fault that he didn’t get to play in last weeks basketball game. 
a)
denial
b)
displacement 
c)
sublimatin
d)
reaction formation
31.
This situation is a good example of which defense mechanism? "It's OK to post hurtful comments online because everyone does it."
a)
Denial
b)
Reaction Formation
c)
Rationalization
d)
Compensation
32.
This situation is a good example of which defense mechanism? "Mae always fights with her mom.  Instead of working on her relationship with her mom she hangs out with her best friend and ignores her mom's texts."
a)
Compensation
b)
Rationalization
c)
Regression
33.
This situation is a good example of which defense mechanism? "Smiling all day even when you know you have a wake/funeral to attend at night."
a)
Reaction Formation
b)
Compensation
c)
Rationalization
d)
Projection
34.
This situation is a good example of which defense mechanism? "Stomping your feet and slamming your bedroom door after you and your parents get into a fight."
a)
Denial
b)
Compensation
c)
Reaction Formation
d)
Regression
35.

Putting someone down and making them feel awful, when you really feel bad about yourself is an example of which defense mechanism?

a)

Compensation

b)

Projection

c)

Rationalization

d)

Undoing

36.

Not throwing away your dog leash and dog collar after your dog died, because you are hoping he comes back is an example of which defense mechanism?

a)

Projection

b)

Denial

c)

Reaction Formation

d)

Sublimation

37.
The expression of an emotion that is the opposite of what you truly feel.
a)
Reaction formation
b)
Regression
c)
Sublimation
d)
Displacement
38.
Reverting back to immature behavior from an earlier stage of development
a)
Repression
b)
Regression
c)
Sublimation
d)
Displacement
39.

Reverting back to immature behavior from an earlier stage of development

a)

Repression

b)

Regression

c)

Projection

d)

Displacement

40.
A student forgot that his dreaded final exam in geometry was scheduled for Friday. This seemed unusual as the date of the exam had been marked on his calendar for several weeks.
a)
Regression
b)
Sublimation
c)
Reaction Formation
d)
Repression
41.
Lucas really hates his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, but when he sees him at the basketball court he pretends they are bros. 
a)
reaction formation
b)
denial
c)
displacement
d)
projection
42.

Defense mechanisms are behaviors that an individual might use to cope with an uncomfortable situation or problem.

a)

True

b)

False

43.

Lucas is mad because his sister took his candy into her room, so he kicked a hole in her door.

a)

Identification

b)

Daydreaming

c)

Displacement

d)

Repression

44.

Emily failed her science test because she didn’t pay attention in class or study. She gets mad at the teacher for not teaching her well.

a)

Displacement

b)

Daydreaming

c)

Regression

d)

Projection

45.

Katelyn is always getting in trouble for arguing with her brother about who is right or wrong. She joins the debate team.

a)

Rationalization

b)

Sublimation

c)

Regression

d)

Repression

46.
If you refuse to accept the reality of something that makes you anxious
a)
Rationalization
b)
Denial
c)
Repression
d)
Sublimation
47.

People use defense mechanisms to

a)

fight or run.

b)

try to feel better fast.

c)

stress themselves

d)

drive other people away.

48.

The problem with defense mechanisms is

a)

they are temporary.

b)

they delay dealing with the stressor.

c)

they are the easy way out.

d)

All of the above

49.

Relying on defense mechanisms for long periods of time

a)

will solve all your problems.

b)

has no effect on your relationships.

c)

may make your distress even worse.

d)

d. All of the above

50.

making excuses for your behavior

a)

rationalization

b)

displacement

c)

denial

d)

projection

51.

thinking someone else is to blame

a)

rationalization

b)

displacement

c)

denial

d)

projection

52.

shifting anger at one person to another

a)

rationalization

b)

displacement

c)

denial

d)

projection

53.

Humor is a defense mechanism if it is used...

a)

to increase endorphins

b)

to be a comedian and make people uncomfortable

c)

to hide hurt or depression

d)

to pretend nothing is wrong