Defense Mechanisms Chapter 8

Objectives: Students will understand the different types of defense mechanisms and how to properly show their emotions.

Bell Ringers When someone confronts you about something that you do not agree with, what is your first response? Think about the last time you were so angry with someone that you threw something or slammed a door. Describe the situation. Tell how you were feeling.

How to diffuse your anger… *Rechannel your anger in positive, productive ways. - What are some ways to do this? * Get away by yourself, or have a good cry. Pick up the phone and call a close friend to talk it out. Write down exactly what you are feeling and why. Punch a pillow, or count to ten.

Handling Emotions During Tragedies Maintain your daily routine. This gives you a sense of control. Share your feelings. If you are not ready to talk, try to write your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Turn off the news. It is easy to become overwhelmed with nonstop media coverage. Channel your energy into a worthwhile cause. Volunteer or participate in a club or service.

Defense Mechanisms Defense mechanisms are strategies used to deal with strong or stressful emotions and situations.

Resilience The ability to adapt effectively and recover from disappointment, difficulty, or crisis. The Cardinals when they were 10 games out before they ended up winning the World Series.

Repression Involuntary, unconscious pushing of unpleasant feelings below the surface and out of conscious thought. Example: A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events, but has trouble forming relationships. A man has a phobia of spiders but cannot remember the first time he was afraid of them.

Suppression Conscious, intentional pushing of unpleasantness from one’s mind. Example: when reminded of an embarrassing incident or a time when you were rejected, you might try to actively push away these thoughts by distracting yourself or trying to think about something else.

Rationalization Making excuses to try to explain a situation or behavior rather than directly taking responsibility for it. Alcoholic blaming their spouse for their drinking because they were nagging them too much

Regression Reverting, or turning back, to behaviors more characteristic of an earlier stage of development rather than dealing with the conflict in a more mature manner. Sucking your thumb or hiding in the closet

Denial Unconscious, involuntary lack of acknowledgement of something in one’s environment that is obvious to others. The pot in my pocket isn’t mine officer

Compensation Wanting to cover up weaknesses and mistakes by making up for them through gift-giving, hard work, or other extreme efforts. Example: a person is indulging in excesses in one area of their lives in order to hide insecurities about other aspects of their lives.

Projection Being unaware of attributing one’s own feelings or faults to another person or group even when these attributes do not apply Examples: I do not like another person. But I have a value that says I should like everyone. So I project onto them that they do not like me. This allows me to avoid them and also to handle my own feelings of dislike. An unfaithful husband suspects his wife of infidelity.

Idealization Seeing someone else as perfect or more ideal, or worthy, than everyone else. Example: A teenager in awe of a rock star idealizes their idol, imagining them to have a perfect life, to be kind and thoughtful, and so on. They ignore the star's grosser habits and rough background. I buy a sports car and look admiringly at its sleek lines. I ignore the fact that it drinks fuel and is rather uncomfortable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnRBAU6Yg2A&safe=active