Freudian Defense Mechanisms

Front 1

Repression

Back 1

First Mechanism: Buried emotions come out in dreams, Freudian slips, etc.

Front 2

Intellectualism

Back 2

Using abstract thinking as a way to tackle stressful problems. A form of detachment

Front 3

Reaction Formation

Back 3

Expression of exaggerated emotions by acting opposite of normal

Front 4

Rationalization

Back 4

Self-servicing explanations of problems

Front 5

Displacement

Back 5

Shifting emotions from their original object to a substitute object

Front 6

Suppression

Back 6

Intentional blocking of recollection of certain memories/ideas

Front 7

Denial

Back 7

Refusal to acknowledge reality

Front 8

Undoing

Back 8

Making retribution for an unacceptable act. I.E. An over-eater running a mile after an eating binge

Front 9

Projection

Back 9

Giving personal unacceptable emotions to other people or objects

Front 10

Sublimation

Back 10

Making unacceptable impulses into acceptable ones. I.E. violent emotions channeled into playing the drums

Front 11

Identification

Back 11

Taking on characteristics of someone/thing else so as to avoid feeling incompetent.