Lesson 10 Quarter 3 What are the 7 common defense mechanisms that people choose to manage difficult emotions?

In Your Groups…  Read the scenarios with your group and match the emotion. Some scenarios may match more than one emotion.

 Emotions are neither good nor bad. Learning to express emotions in a healthful way will not only help you cope with emotional upsets, but also helps those around you better handle their emotions. Managing Your Emotions…

In Your Journal… Write a poem describing a situation that was emotional for you. Include how you managed your emotions.

Dealing with Emotions  Some emotions are expressed through facial expressions (smile, hugging).  Some emotions are private (uncomfortable with feelings).  Some emotions are dealt with in harmful ways (hurt another person deliberately).

Defense Mechanisms Mental processes that protect individuals from strong or stressful emotions and situations Some people choose to manage difficult emotions By avoiding situations that make them uncomfortable.

Common Defense Mechanisms  Repression  Involuntarily pushing unpleasant feelings out of one’s mind  Regression  Returning to behaviors characteristic of a younger age, rather than dealing with problems in a mature manner.

Common Defense Mechanisms  Denial  Unconscious lack of recognition of something that is obvious to others.  Projection  Attributing your own feelings or faults onto another person or group.

Common Defense Mechanisms  Suppression  Consciously and intentionally pushing unpleasant feelings our of one’s mind.  Rationalization  Making excuses to explain a situation or behavior, rather than taking responsibility for it.

Common Defense Mechanisms  Compensation  Making up for weaknesses and mistakes through gift giving, hard work, or extreme efforts.  Relying on defense mechanisms too long can keep you from facing—and solving—what’s upsetting you.