Defense Mechanisms

I had an interesting conversation with Migs not too long ago about defense mechanisms. I don’t recall what triggered our discussion exactly, all I remember was we were trying to get each other to reveal our most commonly-used defense mechanism hehehe. Here are some of the more popular ones:

1. Reaction Formation. This reduces anxiety by taking up the opposite feeling, impulse, or behavior. An example of reaction formation would be treating someone you strongly dislike in an excessively friendly manner in order to hide your true feelings.

2. Displacement. This involves taking out frustrations, feelings, and impulses on people or objects that are less threatening. Rather than express your anger in ways that could lead to negative consequences (like arguing with your boss), you instead express your anger towards a person or object that poses no threat (such as your spouse, children, or pet).

3. Projection. This involves taking our own unacceptable and uncomfortable qualities or feelings and ascribing them to other people. For example, if you have a strong dislike for someone, you might instead believe that he or she does not like you.

4. Sublimation. This allows us to act out unacceptable impulses by converting these behaviors into a more acceptable form. For example, a person experiencing extreme anger might take up kick boxing as a means of venting frustration.

5. Undoing. This is an attempt to take back behavior or thoughts that are unacceptable through an act or communication which partially negates a previous one. An example would be excessively praising someone after having insulted them.

6. Rationalization. This involves offering a socially acceptable and apparently logical explanation for an act or decision actually produced by unconscious impulses, avoiding the true explanation for the behavior. For example, a woman with a closet full of dresses buys a new one and rationalizes that she doesn't have anything to wear.

The list goes on! We are such complex beings :p