Definitions
Seeing people or situations as completely good or completely bad with no middle ground.
Splitting
After being criticized by their boss, Jordan goes home and yells at their younger sibling.
Displacement
Clearing every pebble from someone's path before they walk it.
Rescuing
Which behavior is NOT denial?
A. Ignoring a medical diagnosis
B. Refusing to believe a relationship ended
C. Saying a problem is not serious
D. Blaming your coworker for your mistake
D (Blaming)
Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies people use to protect themselves from anxiety or uncomfortable emotions.
True
Refusing to accept reality because it is too uncomfortable or threatening.
Denial
Taylor insists their drinking is not a problem even though it has caused serious consequences.
Denial
Like kicking a chair after losing a game instead of confronting the person who made you upset.
Displacement
Which behavior is NOT displacement?
A. Yelling at a family member after a stressful day at work
B. Kicking a backpack after failing a test
C. Accusing someone else of being angry when you are actually angry
D. Slamming a door after being criticized
C (Projection)
Projection happens when someone takes their anger out on a safer target.
False
Correct DM: Displacement
Attributing your own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else.
Projection
When Alex notices that their partner Lisa has been quiet and distant lately, Alex assumes it must mean they are unlovable.
Internalizing
Jumping Into a Pool Without Checking the Depth
Act Out
Which behavior is NOT projection?
A. Accusing others of lying when you lie frequently
B. Believing others dislike you when you dislike them
C. Blaming your friend for forgetting homework
D. Saying someone else is angry when you are angry
C (Blaming)
Suppression is a conscious decision to temporarily put aside thoughts or emotions.
True
Expressing emotional distress through physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue.
Somaticizing
A person feeling overwhelming guilt drives recklessly and engages in risky behavior.
Acting Out
Like saying a hurricane is “just a little wind.”
Minimizing
Which behavior is NOT minimizing?
A. Saying cheating on one test is no big deal
B. Saying yelling at someone was “just joking”
C. Saying missing work repeatedly isn’t serious
D. Saying someone else caused your mistake
D (Blaming)
Humor can sometimes function as a defense mechanism to cope with stress.
True
Redirecting anger or frustration from the real source toward a safer person or object.
Displacement
Jamie constantly pays their friend's bills and fixes their mistakes so the friend never faces consequences.
Rescuing
Like talking about the stages of grief when a relationship ends instead of acknowledging sadness.
Intellectualizing
Which behavior is NOT an example of justification?
A. After arriving late to work, Liam says the traffic in the city is impossible even though he left home late.
B. After feeling angry during a meeting, Olivia decides to set the feeling aside so she can focus on the discussion.
C. After forgetting a friend’s birthday, Marcus claims he has been extremely busy with work.
D. After failing an exam, Nina says the test was unfair rather than admitting she didn’t study enough.
B (Suppressing)
Somaticizing refers to exaggerating the seriousness of a problem.
False, that would be turning emotional distress into physical symptoms