Flashcard library · Psychology
Psychology: Defense Mechanisms
Dive into the fascinating world of psychological defense mechanisms with this comprehensive flashcard deck. This resource covers 15 key concepts, defining how individuals unconsciously protect themselves from anxiety and distressing thoughts. Perfect for students preparing for exams or anyone looking to understand human behavior better.
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What is repression?
Unconsciously pushing threatening thoughts, feelings or memories out of awareness.
How does suppression differ from repression?
Suppression is a conscious choice to push thoughts away; repression is unconscious.
What is denial?
Refusing to accept a painful reality or fact.
What is projection?
Attributing your own unacceptable feelings to someone else.
What is displacement?
Redirecting an impulse from a threatening target to a safer one, like yelling at family after a bad day at work.
What is rationalization?
Giving a plausible but false excuse to justify a behavior or feeling.
What is reaction formation?
Acting in the opposite way to an unacceptable feeling, like being overly friendly to someone you resent.
What is sublimation?
Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially valued activities; it is considered a mature defense.
What is regression?
Returning to childlike behavior under stress, like an adult throwing a tantrum.
What is intellectualization?
Focusing on the abstract, analytical side of a painful situation to avoid its emotions.
What is isolation of affect?
Recalling an event while separating it from the feelings that go with it.
What is compensation?
Making up for a weakness in one area by excelling in another.
What is identification?
Taking on the traits of someone admired or feared to bolster self-esteem.
What is undoing?
Trying to cancel out an unacceptable thought or act with a later act that makes amends.
What is passive aggression?
Expressing hostility indirectly, through procrastination, stubbornness or "forgetting."