1. Defence Mechanisms and Positive Strategies
Lesson 2
Defence Mechanisms and Positive Strategies

2. Defence Mechanisms
Techniques you used to protect yourself from being hurt emotionally.
Can be helpful but using repeatedly is not good for one’s health as it avoids facing the issue.

3. Common Defence Mechanisms
Description
Examples
Compensation
Covering a weakness by over achieving in another area
Focusing all your attention on sports because you think you are a better athlete than student
Daydreaming
Escaping from an unpleasant situation by using your imagination
In the dentist’s chair you focus on the fun you’ll have over the weekend because you hate being at the dentist

4. Common Defence Mechanisms
Description
Examples
Denial
Failure to except reality
Refusing to accept the death of a close friend or relative; refusing to accept that you relationship with a romantic friend is over.
Displacement
The transfer of negative feelings about someone else
You are very angry with your mother and you take that anger out on your siblings

5. Common Defence Mechanisms
Description
Examples
Projection
Putting (projecting) negative feelings on someone else
Blaming your teacher for failing a test you did not study for.
Rationalization
Justifying irrational behaviour
Not doing your homework one evening because you feel you’ve spent too much time on schoolwork

6. Common Defence Mechanisms
Description
Examples
Reaction formation
Expressing emotions that are the exact opposite of what you feel
Acting like a clown in a group to hide your shyness
Regression
Using childlike ways of expressing emotions like anger or disappointment
Throwing a tantrum when you don’t get to watch your favourite TV program

7. Common Defence Mechanisms
Description
Examples
Sublimation
Redirecting bad or unacceptable behaviour into positive behaviour
Channelling your aggression into a athletic sport where aggressive behaviour is accepted.
Somatization
Converting emotions into bodily symptoms
Getting stomach cramps every time final exams are scheduled.

8. Self Esteem Feeling good about yourself and the things you do
Gives sense of confidence
Make a list of things you do well
Pay attention to positive aspects in your life

9. Self Esteem Use positive self talk
Talk to yourself in a positive way – I’m really good at this
Avoid all negative self talk

10. Self Esteem Be good at something
Developing your skill in whatever you are good at will make you more confident

11. Self Esteem Resist peer pressure
The more you make decisions based on what you think and not others the more confident you will become.

12. Self Esteem Accept yourself
Appreciate yourself and believe in your worth
Realistically assess your strengths and weaknesses
Do not judge yourself by unrealistic standards
Be ok with who you are right now
Only expend energy on changing things you have control over.

13. Self Esteem Use I statements
Take responsibility for your feelings and words by using “I” statements

14. Sense of Control
High self esteem gives you a sense of control internal locus of control
Those with low self esteem feel that events affecting them are beyond their control. - External locus of control
The reality is that you will always have some control in your life

15. Self Concept
The current mental image you have of yourself
Rating your level of self esteem requires you to evaluate how you look at yourself as a person.
Self-ideal – The mental image of what you would like to be.
If you self-ideal is realistic, set goals to reach it.

16. Questions – hand in Why do people use defence Mechanisms? I (1)
How are Esteem Needs related to Self-ideal? I (1)
Why is self esteem important to you? I (1)
How can someone increase their self esteem? I (1)
Do you think that the ideas behind Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs should be used more in this school?-Example: breakfast programs, self help group. I(2)