Defense Mechanisms #1
The person with alcoholism states, “I can quit any time I want to.”
Denial
Children who are toilet trained beginning to wet themselves
Regression
An unconscious burying or “forgetting” mechanism
Repression
Young soldier is fearful of upcoming deployment and says, “Those other guys are a bunch of cowards.”
Projection
Could be described as an “out-of-body experience
Dissociation
Parent loses job without notice; goes home and verbally abuses spouse, who unjustly punishes child, who slaps the dog.
Displacement
“I failed the test because the teacher wrote bad questions.”
Rationalization
Giving a treat to a child who is being punished for a wrong-doing
Restitution aka undoing
A small boy who wants to be a basketball center instead becomes an honor-roll student.
Compensation
The physically unattractive person who wants to be a model speaks out for eliminating beauty pageants.
Reaction Formation aka overcompensation