Psychosexual/Psychoanalytical

Ego Defense
Mechanisms
Unconscious Ego defense
mechanism
These are PSYCHOLOGIC adaptive
mechanisms
Mental mechanisms that develop as
the personality attempts to DEFEND
itself, establishes compromises
among conflicting impulses and allays
inner tensions
Unconscious Ego defense
mechanism
The unconscious mind working to
protect the person from anxiety
Releases tension
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Compensation Covering up
weaknesses by
emphasizing a more
desirable trait

Attempt to ignore
Denial unacceptable realities
by refusing to
acknowledge them
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Displacement Discharging
emotional
reactions from
one object to a
LESS threatening
object/person
Identification
Imitation of
someone feared
or respected
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Intellectualization Use of rational
explanations that
remove from the
event any personal
significance and
feelings

Acceptance of
Introjection other’s norms as
oneself
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Minimization Not acknowledging
the significance of
one’s behavior

Projection Blame is attached to

others or to
environment for
unacceptable
thoughts, mistakes,
etc
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Rationalization JUSTIFICATION of
certain
BEHAVIORS by
faulty
logic/reasons
Reaction
Formation
Acting
OPPOSITELY to
the way they feel
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Regression Resorting to an earlier,
more comfortable level
of functioning that is
less demanding

Unconscious mechanism
Repression of keeping threatening
desires or thoughts from
becoming CONSCIOUS
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Sublimation Re-channeling of
aggressive energies
into socially
acceptable activities

Substitution
Replacement of a
highly valued object
by a LESS valuable
or acceptable and
available object
Ego Defense Mechanisms
Undoing Actions or words
designed to cancel
some disapproved
thoughts, impulses ,
or acts in which the
person relieves
GUILT by making
reparation