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Questions and Answers
What defense mechanism is exemplified by a baseball player throwing his bat when he strikes out?
What defense mechanism is exemplified by a baseball player throwing his bat when he strikes out?
What defense mechanism is illustrated by soldiers experiencing amnesia during traumatic events?
What defense mechanism is illustrated by soldiers experiencing amnesia during traumatic events?
What defense mechanism may involve a mother being overprotective because she feels guilty?
What defense mechanism may involve a mother being overprotective because she feels guilty?
Which defense mechanism is at play when someone accuses others of their own faults?
Which defense mechanism is at play when someone accuses others of their own faults?
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What is the defense mechanism when an aggressive child channels hostility into sports?
What is the defense mechanism when an aggressive child channels hostility into sports?
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What defense mechanism involves someone justifying their drinking habits with social obligations?
What defense mechanism involves someone justifying their drinking habits with social obligations?
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Which defense mechanism describes a person acting like a dependent child after a conflict?
Which defense mechanism describes a person acting like a dependent child after a conflict?
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What defense mechanism can be observed in someone who forgets an exam date despite remembering it previously?
What defense mechanism can be observed in someone who forgets an exam date despite remembering it previously?
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In which defense mechanism does James Rileytell others he purchased a cheaper car for environmental reasons?
In which defense mechanism does James Rileytell others he purchased a cheaper car for environmental reasons?
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What defense mechanism explains the behavior of a person criticizing dependence in others while being dependent themselves?
What defense mechanism explains the behavior of a person criticizing dependence in others while being dependent themselves?
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What defense mechanism is demonstrated when someone dislikes their mother but claims to love her?
What defense mechanism is demonstrated when someone dislikes their mother but claims to love her?
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Which defense mechanism involves a child resorting to bedwetting when facing a new environment?
Which defense mechanism involves a child resorting to bedwetting when facing a new environment?
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What defense mechanism can be described by a person downplaying emotional reactions after being rejected?
What defense mechanism can be described by a person downplaying emotional reactions after being rejected?
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What is the term for the defense mechanism where one redirects feelings of anger towards a safer target?
What is the term for the defense mechanism where one redirects feelings of anger towards a safer target?
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What is the term for the defense mechanism involving forgetting traumatic memories?
What is the term for the defense mechanism involving forgetting traumatic memories?
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What is the term for the defense mechanism when a child expresses settling into a new home by reverting to young behaviors?
What is the term for the defense mechanism when a child expresses settling into a new home by reverting to young behaviors?
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What is the term for the defense mechanism responsible for providing a false rationale for one’s behavior?
What is the term for the defense mechanism responsible for providing a false rationale for one’s behavior?
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What is the term for the defense mechanism where individuals deny their true feelings by expressing the opposite?
What is the term for the defense mechanism where individuals deny their true feelings by expressing the opposite?
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What is the term for the defense mechanism when someone attributes their unwanted feelings to others?
What is the term for the defense mechanism when someone attributes their unwanted feelings to others?
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Study Notes
Defense Mechanisms in Psychology
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Displacement: Redirecting emotions from one target to a less threatening one. Commonly seen in situations where individuals express frustration through physical actions, such as throwing objects.
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Repression: The unconscious blocking of painful or traumatic memories, often leading to amnesia about distressing experiences, particularly in high-stress situations like wartime.
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Reaction Formation: The conversion of unwanted feelings into their opposites. An unwanted mother may overcompensate with excessive affection and protectiveness toward her child to mask underlying guilt.
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Projection: Attributing one's own undesirable traits onto others. This mechanism often manifests in behaviors like accusing others of faults that one personally exhibits.
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Sublimation: Channeling inappropriate impulses into socially acceptable activities. Aggressive urges can be transformed into competitive sports, acting as a healthy outlet.
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Rationalization: Offering logical explanations for actions or feelings that are emotionally driven. This defense allows individuals to maintain self-esteem by justifying their behavior, such as saying one drinks socially despite personal dependence.
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Regression: Reverting to an earlier developmental stage in response to stress. Adults or children may exhibit childish behaviors under pressure, such as a child wetting the bed after a stressful move.
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Scapegoating: Blaming a minority group for societal issues. This defense mechanism reflects deep-seated prejudices and helps maintain a sense of group superiority.
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Habitual Criticism: Individuals who are dependent may criticize others for being lazy, reflecting their insecurity and avoidance of their own issues.
Key Examples of Defense Mechanisms
- Aggressive children finding release through sports illustrates sublimation effectively.
- A mother’s unwelcome feelings towards her child can lead to overprotectiveness (reaction formation).
- A heavy drinker may rationalize their drinking habits by claiming social obligations.
Psychological Implications
- Recognition of defense mechanisms can aid in understanding behaviors rooted in internal conflicts.
- Healthy expressions of emotions through sublimation can lead to constructive outlets for intense feelings.
- Awareness of projection can help individuals identify insecurities and improve interpersonal relationships.
Overall Insight
- Understanding these mechanisms provides invaluable insight into human behavior and emotional responses, offering pathways to better emotional regulation and self-awareness.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on psychological defense mechanisms with this flashcard quiz. Each card provides an example and definition to help you understand concepts like displacement and repression. Perfect for psychology students or anyone interested in learning about human behavior.
