Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are techniques people use to:

1. Cope with emotions they are

uncomfortable expressing

-or-

2. Avoid confronting a stressor.

Defense mechanisms can be:

1. Harmful, because they keep a

person from learning how to

accept the reality of a situation and/or

express emotions.

2. A typical response a person has

to an emotion/issue he is not

prepared to handle.

Denial

Refusing to accept and address the reality of the

situation.

Denial

“I don’t have a drinking problem”

(when the reality is that drinking is causing many problems in the

person’s life and relationships…..)

Denial

“I didn’t do it!”(when the reality is that the person

did do it and is afraid to face the consequences…..)

Denial

“Not My Son!”(The reality is that the person’s son

was involved in an illegal incident along with his friends but when confronted about it the parent

refuses to believe it…..)

Rationalization

Creating excuses for a situation instead of

admitting the reality of the situation.

Rationalization

“The reason I drink is because of my stressful

job!”(when the reality is that the person’s drinking would be a problem even if

the person was laid off or unemployed)

Rationalization

“I failed the test because the teacher didn’t tell us

there was one.”(when the reality is that the person

knew about the test but didn’t study/or understand the material)

Rationalization“I didn’t make the team because

I was sick the day I tried out”

(The reality is that the person’s skills still wouldn’t have been good enough to make

the team even if he hadn’t been sick on the day of tryouts.)

Displacement

Redirecting your response to a situation toward

someone who was totally uninvolved with the

situation.

Displacement

“Get out of my way!”

(Directing anger toward someone walking by you when you’re angry

with someone else)

Displacement

“I love you sweety!”(Someone just made you feel very

happy but you don’t feel comfortable responding to them

so you express your delight toward the next friend you see)

Displacement

“You’re always on my case. Leave me alone!”(The person is mad about how friends are treating him/her but

takes it out on a parent who reminds him that it’s time to do his

homework.)

Repression

Not allowing yourself to remember or think about a previous traumatic life

event.

Repression

The person was abused as a youngster but has

no memory of it.

Repression

As a youngster a person witnessed a murder but has no recollection of it.

Regression

Dealing with a situation with immature, childlike behavior instead of age-appropriate

behavior.

Regression

Ex. A teenager reverts to baby talk when talking to

an intimidating adult

Regression

Ex. A potty-trained toddler begins wetting his pants

and needing a diaper when a new baby comes

home.

Regression

Ex. Dad acts like one of the kids when trouble happens instead of

addressing the issue as the parent.

Avoidance

Staying away from a situation that causes you

to feel threatened or uncomfortable.

Avoidance

Phone rings: “If it’s Jim tell him

I’m not here”

(the reality is that the person doesn’t feel comfortable

talking to Jim)

Avoidance

Ex: You did something wrong that made

someone mad and now you stay away from the

person.

Avoidance

Ex: You don’t come to school because you’re

scared to have to give a presentation.

Reaction Formation

Expressing an emotion you’re comfortable

showing people rather than the one you’re truly

feeling.

Reaction Formation

“That’s so funny!”(The reality is that you’re

really upset at how someone’s being treated by a bully but laugh so that you

don’t get picked on, too)

Reaction Formation

“It’s no big deal”

(You act indifferent when the reality is that you’re really scared/worried about the situation)

Reaction Formation

Ex: You’re really nervous about a situation to the point of being petrified

but you crack up laughing about it.

Compensation

Making up for a situation you feel guilty about or

that you failed at.

Compensation

“Pick out anything you want, honey”

(A parent feels guilty about not spending time with his child so buys him whatever he wants)

Compensation

“You look great!” (A girl feels guilty for talking behind someone’s back so

gives the person a compliment next time she sees the person)

Compensation

“Hey, did you hear the one about….?”hee hee

(A kid feels everyone must think he’s dumb since he has no clue what’s going on in math class so instead he gets positive attention

during class by telling jokes)

Projection

Labeling someone to be the same as you when you’re uncomfortable with your

label and need to feel that you’re not alone.

Projection

“You are so fat!”(The reality is that a person

views herself as fat and feels better about herself

when she tells other people that they are fat.)

Projection

“You are beautiful!”

A girl feels so good about her own looks that she wants others to feel the

same way.

Projection

“I know you’re cheating on me!”

(the reality is that the accuser is the one who’s cheating and accuses his partner of

cheating in order to feel better about himself)

Projection

“You will never amount to anything!”

(the reality is the person delivering this message feels like a “loser” and wants the

other person to feel the same way, too.