Name _________________________ Psychodynamic Ego Defense Mechanisms According to Freud, defense mechanisms protect us from being consciously aware of a thought or feeling which we cannot tolerate. Like the symbolism in a dream, they allow for the id to express socially unacceptable impulses in a disguised form. Using colored pens, match up the defense mechanism to its description and example quote. The quotes are responses to feeling angry at a critical teacher. Defense Mechanism Repression Projection Reaction formation Regression Denial Displacement Sublimation Rationalization Intellectualization Description Attributing your faults or wishes to someone else. Diverting emotions from their original source towards a less dangerous one. Avoiding uncomfortable emotions by focusing on facts and logic Refusal to believe that events or certain emotions are causing anxiety. Redirecting unacceptable impulses into a socially acceptable substitute activity. Changing unacceptable wishes and desires into the opposite in the conscious mind. The conscious thoughts and feelings are experienced as quite real. Coming up with explanations to justify a behavior. Preventing unacceptable desires or memories from becoming conscious Engaging in behavior characteristic of an earlier stage of development Example “He is so critical because he trying to help us do our best.” “Let’s go shoot spitballs.” “I hate that kid in the front row.” “I’m going to write a poem about anger.” “I think she is a great teacher!” “This situation reminds me of how Nietzsche said that anger is ontological despair.” “I’m not angry with him.” “The professor hates me.” Name _________________________