Defense Mechanisms
Are defense mechanisms more often conscious or unconscious?
unconscious
What is repression?
Holding back or keeping memories/feelings buried in the mind
What is rationalization?
Creating logical justifications for uncomfortable situations
What is displacement?
The method of shifting feelings from one thing to another?
What is sublimation?
When an individual channels bad impulses in socially acceptable activities
What do defense mechanisms do?
lower anxiety by distorting reality
What are the two most common kind of repression?
Emotions and Thoughts
Why does rationalization most common come up?
In order to protect their ego and/or deal with a conflict
What’s the difference between displacement and projection?
Displacement involves redirecting your emotions toward a different, less threatening target Projection involves attributing your own unwanted feelings or thoughts onto someone else.
Can sublimation be good?
Sublimation is often regarded as a healthy form of coping
Are all defense mechanisms negative?
No, some can be positive (ex.sublimation, altruism, humor, and suppression(to an extent))
Can repressed memories be resurfaced?
Yes, often times through therapy or encountering an item from the event
How do rationalization and denial differ?
Denial is outright refusing to believe in something while rationalization is twisting it
What is denial?
a defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously refuses to acknowledge or accept objective facts or experiences that cause discomfort or anxiety, essentially ignoring or rejecting reality to cope with difficult situations
What is projection?
Where individuals attribute their own feelings onto others
What kinds of therapy can help someone who wants to reduce their defense mechanisms?
Psychoanalytic therapy
What is regression?
an unconscious defense mechanism where an individual reverts to earlier, often immature, behaviors or thought patterns in response to stress or anxiety
What is reaction formation?
Someone replacing unacceptable trait or anxiety prone feeling with the opposite, often exaggerated
How does denial effect a person?
negative consequences for mental and physical health, strained relationships, and missed opportunities for growth and improvement
Can projection be positive?
Often times projection only delays in facing ones true emotions and often causes turmoil in relationships
Who developed many of the defense mechanisms?
Anna Freud
Is regression positive?
Regression as a defense mechanism is generally not considered a positive or healthy coping strategy
How might therapy help someone struggling with Reaction Formation?
It can help someone increase their self-awareness and reveal the cause of the defense mechanism
it can be a temporary coping strategy, but it's not inherently positive and can lead to issues if overused or if the underlying problem isn't addressed
What triggers sublimation?
Sublimation, a mature defense mechanism, is triggered by unacceptable impulses or emotions