Ego Defense Mechanisms

Front 1

Compensation

Back 1

Covering up a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a trait one considers more desirable.

Front 2

Denial

Back 2

Refusing to acknowledge the existence of a real situation or the feelings associated with it. (Global situation:death, chemical dependance, illness/disease; not small issue like repression)

Front 3

Displacement

Back 3

The transfer of feelings from one target to another that is considered less threatening or that is neutral. (Cat-Kicking)

Front 4

Identification

Back 4

An attempt to increase self-worth by acquiring certain attributes and characteristics of an individual one admires. (looking like rockstar)

Front 5

Intellectualization

Back 5

An attempt to avoid expressing actual emotions associated with a stressful situation by using the intellectual processes of logic, reasoning, and analysis.

Front 6

Introjection

Back 6

Integrating the beliefs and values of another individual into one’s own ego structure. (mimicing values and beliefs)

Front 7

Isolation

Back 7

Separating a thought or memory from the feeling tone or emotion associated with it. (emotional seperation from memory)

Front 8

Projection

Back 8

Attributing feelings or impulses unacceptable to one’s self to another person.

Front 9

Rationalization

Back 9

Attempting to make excuses or formulate logical reasons to justify unacceptable feelings or behaviors. (Plausible Excuse)

Front 10

Reaction Formation

Back 10

Preventing unacceptable or undesirable thoughts or behaviors from being expressed by exaggerating opposite thoughts or types of behaviors.

Front 11

Repression

Back 11

Involuntarily blocking unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awareness. (Smaller issue not global like denial)

Front 12

Sublimation

Back 12

Rechanneling of drives or impulses that are personally or socially unacceptable into activities that are constructive.

Front 13

Suppression

Back 13

The voluntary blocking of unpleasant feelings and experiences from one’s awareness.

Front 14

Undoing

Back 14

Symbolically negating or canceling out an experience that one finds intolerable.

Front 15

Regression

Back 15

When 2 year-old Jay is hospitalized for tonsillitis he will drink only from a bottle, although his mother states he has been drinking from a cup for 6 months. (previous level of functioning)