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Behavioral Science - Defense Mechanisms

Terms

undefined, object
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Id
basic instinct, gratification
Ego
conscious and unconscious mediator of existence
Superego
moral conscience, internal moral values; failure to develop results in sociopathic behavior
Conscious
always available and readily accessible
Unconscious
can't be accessed but manifests itself in behaviors
Preconscious
bridge between conscious and unconscious; made of dreams and fantasies
Acting out
Less Mature
deal with conflict by action rather than feelings
Denial
Less Mature
deal with emotional conflict or internal/extrenal stress by refusing to acknowledge something apparent to others - can alter a person's perception of reality
Devaluation
Less Mature
attribute exaggerated negative qualities to one's self or others. i.e. can't get grapes "they were sour anyways"
Dissociation
breakdown of consciousness, memory, perception of self or the environment. often result of being traumatized. i.e. floating above rooom
Help-Rejecting Complaining
Less Mature
complaining or making repetitious requests for help that disguise covert feelings of hostility or reproach - rejecting the suggestions, advice, or help offered by others.
Idealization
Less Mature
attribute exaggerated positive qualities to others. diffuse anxiety b/c make it impossible to harm them. opposite of devaluation.
Projection
Less Mature
Falsely attributing to another his/her own acceptable feelings, impulses or thoughts. Seen often in schizophrenics.
Splitting
Less Mature
Compartmentalizing opposite emotional states and failing to integrate the positive and negative qualities of individuals into cohesive picture. Pt makes good vs bad (dr vs nurse)
Less Mature Defense Mechanisms
Splitting Projection
Denial Dissociation
Idealization Devaluation
Help-Rejecting Complaining
Acting Out
Displacement
Moderately Mature
Transferring a feeling about, or response to, an object onto another (less threatening) object
Identification
Moderately Mature
Deal with separation from/loss of an object (real or threatened) by identifying with the loved object. i.e. kids dress like mom going to work makes actual separation less anxiety producing)
Intellectualization
Moderately Mature
Excessive use of abstract thinking or making generalizations to control/minimize disturbing feelings. So wrapped up in cognitive process that forget about desire.
Introjection
Moderately Mature
Internalizing qualities of object, often obliterating distinction between self and object. Stockholm Syndrome. Children use play as introjection to make things less threatening.
Isolation of affect
Moderately Mature
Separation of ideas from the feelings originally associated with them. Lose touch with feelings while staying aware of cognitive associations
Passive Aggression
Moderately Mature
Indirectly and unassertively expressing aggression towards others. Facade of overt compliance masking covert resistance, resentment, hostility. Means of dealing iwht being in a subordinate position.
Rationalization
Moderately Mature
Concealing true motivations for own thoughts, actions, feelings through elaboration of reassuring or self-serving, but incorrect explanations.
Reaction Formation
Moderately Mature
Substituting behavior, thoughts, or feelings diametrically opposed to his/her own unacceptable thoughts or feelings.
Repression
Moderately Mature
Expelling disturbing wishes, thoughts, or experiences from conscious awareness. Not consciously remembered. Occurs inextreme traumatic events, most often abuse.
Undoing
Moderately Mature
Use words/behavior designed to negate or make amends symbolically for unacceptable thoughts, feelings or actions.
Moderately Mature Defense Mechanisms
("Higher Level Neurotic")
Introjection Identification
Displacement Repression
Intellectualization Isolation of Affect
Rationalization Rxn Formation
Passive Aggression Undoing
Altruism
Mature
deal with conflict/stress by dedication to meeting the needs of others.
Anticipation
Mature
Experiencing emotional reactions in advance of possible future events and considers realistic, alternative responses. Important in grief.
Humor
Mature
Emphasizing the amusing/ironic aspects of conflict or stressor.
Sublimation
Mature
Channeling potentially maladaptive feelings/impulses into socially acceptable behaviors.
Suppression
Mature
INTENTIONALLY avoids thoughts related to the stress. The only defense mechanism a person has control over.
Mature Defense Mechanisms
Humor Altruism
Suppression Anticipation
Sublimation

Deck Info

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