Example: As a young child Matt witnessed his dad being mugged and then killed as he stood by watching helplessly. Now 35 years old, he cannot remember a single thing about this experience.
Rationalization: This is also a popular defense mechanism. The ego replaces an unacceptable motive with a false but somewhat realistic explanation.
Example: Jack does not get into the school that he wanted to. He tells himself that he didn't work hard enough in high school and if he had, he definitely would have gotten in.
Displacement: The ego shifts feelings toward something that is
considered unacceptable to something that is more acceptable.
considered unacceptable to something that is more acceptable.
Example: James is driving down the street and gets cut off by
another car. The car speeds away so James hits the seat next to
him in frustration.
another car. The car speeds away so James hits the seat next to
him in frustration.
Sublimation: The ego replaces an unacceptable impulse
with an acceptable one.
with an acceptable one.
Example: Tim who is extremely aggressive decides to
enroll in aboxing tournament.
enroll in aboxing tournament.
Projection: The ego attributes personal shortcomings,
faults, problems, and feelings to others.
faults, problems, and feelings to others.
Example: Charlie, with a strong desire to have an
affair accuses his wife of flirting with other men.
affair accuses his wife of flirting with other men.
Reaction Formation: The ego takes an unacceptable
motive and changes it into its opposite.
motive and changes it into its opposite.
Example: Mark, who is afraid of his aggressive urges,
decides to become a monk.
decides to become a monk.
Denial: The ego refuses to acknowledge stress
causing realities.
causing realities.
Example: Gary has been diagnosed with lung
cancer, but refuses to stop smoking or take his medication.
cancer, but refuses to stop smoking or take his medication.
Regression: The ego seeks the security that it
previously had in an earlier developmental period while in the
face of stress.
previously had in an earlier developmental period while in the
face of stress.
Example: Every time that Brian has trouble at work,
he goes to his favorite childhood spot on the beach.
he goes to his favorite childhood spot on the beach.
Identification: When someone tries to increase
their self-esteem by forming an imaginary or real
alliance with some person or group.
their self-esteem by forming an imaginary or real
alliance with some person or group.
Example: Lisa is very insecure in herself so she
joins a sorority to bolster her self-esteem.
joins a sorority to bolster her self-esteem.
