DEFENSE MECHANISMS- *Ways people deal with stresses in their lives. Used to try to solve problems, hide or counterbalance feelings or actions. *Defense mechanisms do not usually get rid of the problem, and are often negative or not a very effective way to deal with stress.

Positive Defenses  Direct Attack: Recognize the heart of the problem Work to solve the problem The goals must be realistic –“If I look at this realistically, I can set my goals and overcome this problem”  Sublimation : redirecting bad or unacceptable behavior/emotions into positive behavior. -We sublimate the desire to fight into the ritualistic activities of formal competition. -When I’m angry, I box at the gym.

 Compensation: covering a weakness by overachieving in another area. May be negative or positive –“OK, maybe I’ll never be able to pass the class, but I’ll have fun and that teacher will be sorry”  Daydreaming: escaping from an unpleasant situation by using your imagination. Living in a fantasy world -“I love animals so much, so even if I fail biology I can still be a veterinarian” Negative Defenses

 Denial: failure to accept reality. “This is not happening. It can’t happen to me.”  Displacement: the transfer of negative emotions from one person or thing to an unrelated person or thing. “I did so poorly on my SAT, I’ll just go home and kick my dog.”

 Projection: Blame other people or things for your failure Use a scapegoat “It’s my math teacher’s fault I failed the test”  Rationalization: justifying when you behave irrationally. “We got caught up in the romance of the moment.. And now I’m pregnant!”

MORE MECHANISMS!  Regression: using childlike ways for expressing emotions. Crying, name calling, throwing things, swearing.  Repression: subconsciously blocking out unpleasant memories “I can remember everything up to the accident, but nothing after that.”

STILL MORE!!  Reaction formation: expressing emotions that are the exact opposite of what you feel. –Conceal anger/hate with kindness. –Teasing/bothering someone you like.  Conversion: Transfer the energy of a desire you can’t express into a physical complaint or symptom (headache, stomach aches) “I think I have the flu… I can’t take my test today.”

 Idealization – Valuing something more than it is worth. Yourself (conceited) “I am so wonderful. Everyone has to like me.” Others or possession (money, house, car) “I need that new Coach purse! It will complete me!!!”  Giving Up – No situation = No problem “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care”

Intellectualization- works to reduce anxiety by thinking about events in a cold, clinical way. –A person who is in heavily debt builds a complex spreadsheet of how long it would take to repay using different payment options and interest rates. Minimization - This allows you to decrease the intensity of a situation. My parents don’t fight, they just argue a lot.” Reaction-formation-emotions and impulses which are anxiety-producing or perceived to be unacceptable are mastered by exaggeration of the directly opposing tendency. [ An example of reaction formation would be treating someone you strongly dislike in an excessively friendly manner in order to hide your true feelings. anxiety [

LAST ONE!!!  Substitution: replacing an unattainable goal with an attainable goal to relieve disappointment. “I am not good at football so I will try the swim team.”

Assignment In your group (2 people) create a situation (example) for your assigned defense mechanism. Write the name of the defense mechanism. Tell the definition and give an example demonstrating it. Include an image or symbol to remember defense mechanism.