Defense Mechanisms These protect your EGO!

REPRESSION Forgetting a painful memory Ex. Abuse Ex. Abuse

RATIONALIZATION The attempt to justify actions, attitudes, or thoughts on what are meant to be logical grounds. (Deception by reason) The attempt to justify actions, attitudes, or thoughts on what are meant to be logical grounds. (Deception by reason) This defense usually involves making up acceptable excuses for behaviors that cause us to feel anxious. This defense usually involves making up acceptable excuses for behaviors that cause us to feel anxious. Making-up an excuse. Making-up an excuse.

SUBLIMATION Finding a socially acceptable outlet for unacceptable social behavior. Finding a socially acceptable outlet for unacceptable social behavior. Bully becomes Boxer Bully becomes Boxer

REACTION FORMATION Act the opposite of what you feel to protect your feelings. Act the opposite of what you feel to protect your feelings. Ex. Boyfriend/girlfriend 6 th grade. Ex. Boyfriend/girlfriend 6 th grade.

IDENTIFICATION Join the Gang, wear the colors. Join the Gang, wear the colors.

DISPLACEMENT Taking out your anger on a non- threatening object or person. Taking out your anger on a non- threatening object or person. Ex. Punch the Wall Ex. Punch the Wall

COMPENSATION Not good at school, go into sports Not good at school, go into sports

FANTASY An attempt to escape into a dream world when conflicts become too overwhelming. Daydreams may be a substitute for what a person is unable to accomplish in reality. An attempt to escape into a dream world when conflicts become too overwhelming. Daydreams may be a substitute for what a person is unable to accomplish in reality. “One day I’ll be in the Majors!” “One day I’ll be in the Majors!”

REGRESSION Going back to an earlier behavior in childhood. Going back to an earlier behavior in childhood. Crying to the cop. Crying to the cop.

PROJECTION Putting your own feelings onto others. Putting your own feelings onto others.