defense mechanisms

ways we behave to protect ourselves

• refusal to accept reality
• acting as though it never happened

• going back to earlier stage of development due to unacceptable thoughts or impulses
• adult may regress when under stress and refuse to leave bed

• extreme behavior
• in order to express thoughts or feelings the person is incapable of expressing
• self injury
• makes person feel calmer

• person loses track of time, themselves, and their usual thought processes and memories
• may have history of abuses
• lead to person believing they have multiple personalities

• lesser form of dissociation
• separate self from awareness
• these parts of them have separate sets a=of values while remaining unconscious of their separate morals

ex: honest person who cheats on taxes

• used when thought are considered unacceptable for the person to express, or they feel completely ill at ease with having them
• blame others for failures

• converting unwanted or dangerous thoughts, feelings or impulses into their opposites
• someone who hates boss may be very nice to him

unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings, impulses

• redirecting thoughts directed at a person but taking it out on another person
• ineffective
• redirecting anger at boss to family

• overemphasis on thinking when confronted with an unacceptable impulse, situation, or behavior
• distance self from impulse

• explaining unacceptable behavior or feeling in rational manner, avoiding true reason for behavior
• denial

attempt to take back an unconscious behavior or thought that is unacceptable or hurtful

channeling of unacceptable impulses, thoughts, emotions into more acceptable ones

• counterbalancing personal weakness by emphasizing their strengths
• can help reinforce a persons self esteem if not done excessively

• emphasis of a persons needs or thoughts in a manner that is respectful, direct, and firm
• falls between passive and aggressive
• desired communication skill