Freud’s Defense Mechanism

By: Brittney Barnett

Involves placing uncomfortable thoughts in relatively inaccessible areas of the subconscious mind.

Repression

A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events, but has trouble forming relationships.

RegressionLeading to a temporary or long-term reversion of the ego to an earlier stage of development rather than handling unacceptable impulses in a more adult way.

An example would be an

adult crawling up into bed and

hiding under the covers when they have a bad

day.

In this a person transfers their original feelings that would get them into trouble away from the

person who is the target of their rage onto a more hapless and harmless victim.

Displacement

Say you have had a very unpleasant interaction with you boss today at work you go home and yell and scream at you dog this would be an example

of displacement.

RationalizationRationalization is supplying a logical or rational reason as opposed to the real reason.

An example would be stating to your friends that you was fired because you did not kiss up to the boss, when in reality it was your

poor performance.

DenialThis would be if someone simply refuse to accept the truth or reality of a fact or experience.

An example would be someone who says “I am a social drinker” when they are actually an alcoholic.

This would be placing unacceptable impulses in

yourself onto someone else.

Projection For instance you lose an argument with you sibling and you sate “you are just so stupid”.

Sublimation would be acting out unacceptable

impulses in a socially acceptable way.

Sublimation

For example you would become a surgeon

because you desire to cut.

In reaction formation you take the opposite

belief because the true belief causes you

anxiety.

Reaction Formation

An example would be a boy

may really like a girl but act like he does not and

disinterested when around

her.

THE END