1. Denial Not accepting reality because it is too painful.
Example: You are arrested for drunk driving several times but dont
believeyou have a problem with alcohol.
2. Channeling a feeling or thought from its actual source
tosomething or someone else. Example: When you get mad at your
sister, you break your drinking glass by throwing it against the
wall. 3. Projection Is the misattribution of a persons undesired
thoughts, feelings or impulses onto another person who does not
have those thoughts, feelings or impulses. Example: a spouse may be
angry at their significant other for notlistening, when in fact it
is the angry spouse who does notlisten. 4. Rationalization
Justifying ones behaviors and motivations by substituting "good",
acceptable reasons for these real motivations . Example: I always
study hard for tests and I know a lot of people whocheat so its not
a big deal I cheated this time. 5. Reaction Formation Is the
converting of unwanted or dangerous thoughts, feelings or impulses
into their opposites. Example: For instance, a woman who is very
angry with her boss andwould like to quit her job may instead be
overly kind andgenerous toward her boss and express a desire to
keep workingthere forever. 6. Regression Is the reversion to an
earlier stage of development in the face of unacceptable thoughts
or impulses. Example: An adolescent who is overwhelmed with fear,
anger and growing sexual impulses might become clingy and start
exhibiting earlier childhood behaviors he has long since overcome,
such as bedwetting. An adult may regress when under a great deal of
stress, refusing to leave their bed and engage in normal, everyday
activities. 7. Repression Burying a painful feeling orthought from
your awarenessthough it may resurface insymbolic form.
Sometimesconsidered a basis of otherdefense mechanisms. Example:
You cant remember your fathers funeral. 8. Sublimation Redirecting
unacceptable, instinctual drives into personally and socially
acceptable channels. Example: Intense rage redirected in the form
of participation in sportssuch as boxing or football 9. Work Cites
http://www.utahpsych.org/defensemechanisms.htm
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/15-common-defense-mechanisms/all/1/
