primitive
After being told by her doctor that she has high blood pressure, Jasmine keeps eating fast food and insists, “I feel perfectly fine—doctors just exaggerate things.”
What is denial
A supervisor unconsciously feels incompetent, so she treats her employee as if the employee is unreliable and incapable. Over time, the employee starts doubting their own abilities and makes more mistakes.
What is projective identification
After cheating on an exam, Julia says, “Everyone else was doing it, and the teacher makes the tests impossible anyway.”
what is rationalization
After getting yelled at by her boss, Maria goes home and slams the door at her roommate.
What is displacement?
When Mark doesn’t get a promotion, he says, “I didn’t want that job anyway—it’s too much stress.”
What is rationalization
When a new baby sister comes home, four-year-old Liam starts asking for a bottle again and throws tantrums like he did when he was younger.
What is regression
After a stressful day at work, 30-year-old Alex curls up in bed hugging a stuffed animal and watches cartoons instead of dealing with his problems.
What is regression
Feeling insecure about his poor athletic ability, Daniel throws himself into academics and becomes the top student in his class.
What is compensation
When talking about his recent breakup, Aaron focuses entirely on analyzing why relationships statistically fail instead of discussing how hurt he feels.
What is intellectualization
Right before a big presentation, David decides not to think about his recent breakup so he can focus on his work.
What is suppression
Sofia, who feels jealous of her coworker, accuses the coworker of being “so competitive and jealous all the time.”
what is projection
A man who feels angry but can’t admit it accuses his partner of being “hostile.” The partner becomes defensive and irritated, actually becoming angry — fulfilling his original projection.
what is projective identification
After a traumatic childhood accident, Sara can’t remember any details of what happened.
what is repression
Tom feels resentful toward his demanding boss, but instead of showing it, he constantly compliments her and brings her coffee.
What is reaction formation
A person with strong aggressive impulses joins a boxing gym to release energy.
what is sublimation
A person who was bullied in high school becomes a strict manager, insisting on “discipline” at work.
identification with the aggressor
Instead of discussing his frustration with his partner, Mike throws a vase across the room after an argument.
what is acting out
A student angry at her teacher slams her locker and snaps at her friends instead.
what is displacement
After being rejected from her dream university, Ana decides to attend a different college and throws herself into campus life there.
What is substitution
After starting a new job, a young employee begins dressing and speaking like her confident supervisor.
identification