Defense Mechanisms
1. Denial
Denial, in ordinary English usage, is asserting that a statement or allegation is not true.[1] The
same word, and also abnegation, is used for a psychological defense mechanism postulated by
Sigmund Freud, in which a person is faced with a fact that is too uncomfortable to accept and
rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence.[2][3]
The subject may use:
● simple denial: deny the reality of the unpleasant fact altogether
● minimisation: admit the fact but deny its seriousness (a combination of denial and
rationalization)
● projection: admit both the fact and seriousness but deny responsibility by blaming
somebody or something else
.
2. Regression
Regression, according to psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, is a defense mechanism leading to the
temporary or long­term reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development rather than
handling unacceptable impulses in a more adult way. The defense mechanism of repression, in
psychoanalytic theory, occurs when an individual's personality reverts to an earlier stage of
development, adopting more childish mannerisms.
3. Acting Out
Acting out is performing an extreme behaviour in order to express thoughts or feelings that the
person feels incapable of otherwise expressing. For Example: if someone is angry with someone
else, instead of telling them how they feel they would engage in violent conflict with that person
they are upset with.
4. Dissociation
Dissociation is when a person loses track of time and/or person, and instead finds another
representation of themselves in order to continue in the moment. A person who dissociates
can”disconnect” from the real world for a time, and live in a different world that is not cluttered
with thoughts, feelings or memories that are unbearable.
Compartmentalization
It is an unconscious defense mechanism used to avoid cognitive dissonance
and/or mental discomfort/anxiety caused when a person’s having conflicted
values/cognitions/emotions/beliefs ect. within themselves. It also allows these
conflicting ideas to co-exist in the persons head and attempt to solve both
6. Projection
when a person subconsciously denies his/her own negative attributes by
projecting them onto others, making this person truly believe that others are at fault
and not themselves
7. Reaction Formation
Occurs when a person feels the urge to do or say something and then actually does or says
something that is the opposite of what they really want. Extreme patterns of reaction formation are
found in paranoia and OCD.
8. Repression
Repression involves placing uncomfortable thoughts in relatively inaccessible areas of
the subconscious mind. Thus when things occur that we are unable to cope with now, we push
them away, either planning to deal with them at another time or hoping that they will fade
away on their own accord. However, these memories don't just disappear; they continue to
influence our behavior. A high level of repression can cause a high level of anxiety or
dysfunction, although this may also be caused by the repression of one particularly traumatic
incident. Repressed memories may appear through subconscious means and in altered forms,
such as dreams or slips of the tongue ('Freudian slips'). For example, a person who has
repressed memories of abuse suffered as a child may later have difficulty forming
relationships.
9. Displacement
Displacement involves taking out our frustrations, feelings and impulses on people or
objects that are less threatening. Displaced aggression is a common example of this defense
mechanism. Rather than express our anger in ways that could lead to negative consequences
(like arguing with our boss), we instead express our anger towards a person or object that
poses no threat (such as our spouse, children or pets).
10. Intellectualization
Intellectualization works to reduce anxiety by thinking about events in a cold, clinical way.
This defense mechanism allows us to avoid thinking about the stressful, emotional aspect of
the situation and instead focus only on the intellectual component. For example, a person who
has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness might focus on learning everything about the
disease in order to avoid distress and remain distant from the reality of the situation.
The movie 50/50
11. Rationalization
is a defense that involves explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or
logical manner, avoiding the true reasons for the behavior. For example, a person who is
turned down for a date might rationalize the situation by saying they were not attracted to the
other person anyway, or a student might blame a poor exam score on the instructor rather
than his or her lack of preparation.
Rationalization not only prevents anxiety, it may also protect self-esteem and self-concept.
When confronted by success or failure, people tend to attribute achievement to their own
qualities and skills while failures are blamed on other people or outside fore.
12. Undoing
undoing is a defence mechanism in which a person tries to 'undo' an unhealthy, destructive or
otherwise threatening thought or action by engaging in contrary behaviour. For example, after
thinking about being violent with someone, one would then be overly nice or accommodating to
them. It is one of several defence mechanisms proposed by the founder of psychoanalysis
Sigmund Freud during his career, many of which were later developed further by his
daughterAnna Freud. The German term “Ungeschehenmachen” was first used to describe this
defence mechanism. When translated, it literally means "un­make­happen,” which is essentially
the core of “undoing.” Undoing refers to the phenomenon whereby a person tries to alter the past
in some way to avoid or feign disappearance of an adversity or mishap. (Laplanche &
Pontalis, 1973)[1]
13. Sublimation
In psychology, sublimation is a mature type of defense mechanism where socially unacceptable
impulses or idealizations are consciously transformed into socially acceptable actions or
behaviour, possibly converting the initial impulse in the long term. Freud defines sublimation as
the process of deflecting sexual instincts into acts of higher social valuation, being "an especially
conspicuous feature of cultural development; it is what makes it possible for higher psychical
activities, scientific, artistic or ideological, to play such an important part in civilised life".[1] Wade
and Tavris present a similar view stating that sublimation is when displacement "serves a higher
cultural or socially useful purpose, as in the creation of art or inventions."[2] Sublimation allows us
to act out socially unacceptable impulses by converting them into a more acceptable form. Freud
believed that sublimation was a sign of maturity (indeed, of civilization), allowing people to
function normally in culturally acceptable ways.
14. Compensation
In psychology, compensation is a strategy whereby one covers up, consciously or unconsciously,
weaknesses, frustrations, desires, or feelings of inadequacy or incompetence in one life area
through the gratification or (drive towards) excellence in another area. Compensation can cover
up either real or imagined deficiencies and personal or physical inferiority. There are two kinds of
negative compensation:
● Overcompensation, where a person has a goal to gain superiority. This leads to wanting
power, dominance, self­esteem and self­devaluation.
● Undercompensation which includes a demand for help, leads to a lack of courage and a
fear for life.
Example: A dangerously overweight person goes on eating binges when they are neglected by
their spouse.
15. Assertiveness
Assertiveness is based on balance ­ it requires being forthright about your wants and needs while still considering
the rights, needs, and wants of others. When you are assertive, you ask for what you want but you don't necessarily
get it. Assertiveness is not necessarily easy, but it is a skill that can be learned. Developing your assertiveness
starts with a good understanding of who you are and a belief in the value you bring. When you have that, you have
the basis of self­confidence. Assertiveness helps to build on that self­confidence and provides many other benefits
for improving your relationships at work and in other areas of your life as well. In general, assertive people:
● Get to "win­win" more easily – they see the value in their opponent and in his/her position, and can
quickly find common ground.
● Are better problem solvers – they feel empowered to do whatever it takes to find the best solution.
● Are less stressed – they know they have personal power and they don't feel threatened or victimized
when things don't go as planned or expected.
● Are doers – they get things done because they know they can.
When you act assertively you act fairly and with empathy. The power you use comes from your self­assurance and
not from intimidation or bullying. When you treat others with such fairness and respect, you get that same
treatment in return. You are well liked and people see you as a leader and someone they want to work with.