8 defense mechanisms

7/27/2019 8 Defense Mechanisms

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Defense Mechanisms Definition: A mental

maneuver that oneconsciously or

unconsciously choosesto use to distort orfalsify the truth of onesexperience in order to

protect oneself fromfeeling painful emotionslike shame, guilt, oranxiety.


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LYING One doesnt tell the truth

for either self-gain or tospare feeling ridicule,rejection, or punishment.

Phrases like I swear Ididnt do it, or It doesntmean anything are oftenused when we know wehavent lived up to our

higher selves. In what circumstances do

you think people lie themost?


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RATIONALIZATION Occurs when we tell an

element of the truth, butdeny the larger truth of thematter.

For example, I couldhave won the race but thetrack was wet. Thelarger truth was thatsomeone was faster.

I got fired, but the bosswas a jerk. Failures area threat to the egorationalization doesnt hurtas bad.


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REGRESSION When adult defensemechanisms stop workingfor us, we regress to apersonality we had at

childhood. For example, when an

adult doesnt takeresponsibility, he says,Its not my fault, its her

fault. Immature patterns of

behavior emerge such asbragging.


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REPRESSION The person forces theunacceptable or threateningfeeling out of awareness to apoint where he/she becomesunaware of it.

Examples could be a simplereprimand or as serious as arape.

A person is asked, how do youget along with your mother andhe responds, just fine as heturns pale. Negative feelingsabout the mother are sounacceptable that they blockhis awareness.


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DENIAL The person doesntacknowledge the validityof the matter butacknowledges its

presence. They opposeforce with force.

For example, the alcoholicexpresses, I may like todrink, but Im not an

alcoholic. Or a smoker concludes

that the evidence linkingcigarette use to healthproblems is bogus.


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SUPPRESSION The person is aware of theunacceptable desire andvalidates it but intentionallytries to keep it from expressingitself.

For example, I know Im analcoholic so Im going on thewagon.

A homosexual who intentionallydoesnt date members of thesame sex so that theunacceptable does not expressitself.

An introvert is conditioned to bean extrovert.

He often suppress anger.


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PROJECTION The person attributesones own perceivednegative attributes ontosomeone else.

For example, Bill blamesthe instructor for a badgrade when he didntstudy.

Sara says, You envy me,

when Sara really enviesthe other person.

Sam cheats on his spouseand blames the spousefor cheating.


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Which Defense Mechanisms Do

You Use the Most? Lying

Rationalization

Distraction

Regression

Repression

Denial

Suppression

Projection


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Remove Defense Mechanisms by Reading about them

Writing about your feelings and actions

Talking to a close friend or therapist

Meditating

Praying

EFT


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Name the Defense Mechanism Joe is mad at Sue as he grits his teeth. Sue asks,

are you mad at me, and he replies, No, Im not mad

at all as he puts a smile on his face.


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Name the Defense Mechanism The person who doesnt study says, the F grade I

got on the test was totally unfair.


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Name the Defense Mechanism Karl, a tax accountant teacher instructs his students

to follow the rules of tax law but later Karl cheats on

his taxes.


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Name the Defense Mechanism Bill Gates tells you your reply is illogical and you

reply, youre the illogical one! Im smarter than you

anyway.


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Name the Defense Mechanism Cheating on my taxes is no big deal. Everybody

does it

8 defense mechanisms

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