Defense Mechanisms

Compensation Covering weaknesses by emphasizing a

more desirable trait

Denial Attempt to screen unacceptable realities by

refusing to acknowledge them

Displacement Transferring emotional reactions to another

object or person

Identification Dec anxiety by imitating someone

Intellectualization Use of rational explanation

Introjection Identifying with others norms

Regression Resorting to an earlier more comfortable

level of functioning

Projection Occurs when an individual own

undesirable impulses are attributed to
another person or object.

Rationalization Occurs when a person gives questionable

behavior a logical or socially acceptable
explanation. It accounts to behavior
justification.

Reaction formation Occurs when an individual gives reason for

behavior that is opposite from its true case.

Sublimation Occurs when an individual consciously

expresses an unacceptable impulses by
converting these behaviors into more
acceptable form

suppression Occurs when an individual consciously

turns attention away from a perceived
threat.