1. Mental & Emotional Health
Defense Mechanisms
Mental & Emotional Health

2. Objectives Define defense mechanism.
Define and provide examples for the following defense mechanisms.
Regression
Rationalization
Denial
Compensation
Projection
Identification

3. Definitions Defend Defense To repel danger or attack
The act of defending
Resistance against attack

4. Defense Mechanisms Information
Strategies used to deal with strong or stressful emotions and situations
Short term: Might protect you from too much pain or embarrassment
Long term: Might keep you from facing or dealing with problems
They can be + or – depending on the situation

5. Regression Rationalization Denial
Turning back to behaviors of an earlier stage of development (like a toddler)
Rationalization
Making excuses to explain situation or behavior rather than taking responsibility
Denial
Refusal to accept reality

6. “Don’t you go projecting on me!”
Compensation
Covering up weaknesses or mistakes with gift-giving, hard work or other extreme efforts
Projection
Taking out stress on
another person even though
they have nothing to do with the stress
Idealization
Seeing someone/something else as perfect or more ideal, or worthy, than everyone/everything else
“Don’t you go projecting on me!”

7. Examples Page 204 Regression Rationalization Denial
Turning back to behaviors of an earlier stage of development (like a toddler)
An adult throwing a temper tantrum
Rationalization
Making excuses to explain situation or behavior rather than taking responsibility
Failing a test, blame it on missing the day of the test when you knew it was scheduled that day
Bad grade, blame teacher for not liking you
Denial
Refusal to accept reality
Death of a loved one (pet), act like they’re alive

8. Compensation Projection
Covering up weaknesses or mistakes with gift-giving, hard work or other extreme efforts
Kobe Bryant, bought his wife jewelry
Didn’t make soccer team, practice to get better
Projection
Taking out stress on another person even though they have nothing to do with the stress
Not making a role in play, slam door in sister’s face when you get home

9. Idealization
Seeing someone/something else as perfect or more ideal, or worthy, than everyone/everything else
Thinking foreign holiday will be better than it really is
Parents ignoring that their child can make mistakes
Thinking a famous person has a perfect life and failing to pay attention to the negative aspects of their life

10. This can be done in your notes.
Wrap Up
My Examples
Name 2 defense mechanisms
Give an example of these defense mechanisms (when you used one, when someone you know used one on you)
Reflection Paragraph
Use these questions to guide your reflection paragraph & give you ideas of what to write about.
How can this information help you in your every day life?
What can you keep in mind for the future when you are faced with a stressful/emotional situation?
This can be done in your notes.

11. Identification: The unconscious modeling of one's self upon another person's character and behavior.