Defense MechanismsDefinition:Denial:Escape or Fantasy:Rationalization:Projection:Repression:Suppression:Identification:Displacement:Regression:Compensation:Sublimation:Conversion:Defense Mechanisms contribute to mental health by providingrelief from stressful situations. However, too muchdependence on them can lead to avoidance in facingproblems.Refusal to accept reality. Carol's longtime pet has died. She continuesto act as if it were still alive.Running away from problems through daydreams, books orexcessive sleep.An attempt to justify one's actions with an excuse. Anne justifies flunkinga math test because she was absent the day it was scheduled.An attempt to protect one's feelings or self-esteem by blaming others.Bill blamed his teacher's dislike him for his poor grade.The unconscious exclusion or holding back feelings. You forget aboutchores you are supposed to do the weekend allowing yourself toenjoy the company of friends instead.The conscious holding back of thoughts or feelings. You think thatshowing frustration is a sign of weakness so you hold those feelingsinside and don't express them.Acting like, or modeling behaviors after a person someone likes.Directing feelings at someone or something other than the source ofthose feelings. Angry at not making the team, sarah pushes her littlesister when she gets home.Acting as if one was back in an earlier less troublesome time in their life.An attempt to make up for a weakness in one area by excelling inanother area.Transforming unacceptable behaviors into acceptable ones. A veryaggressive person might become a professional athlete.Emotional problems result in real physical ailments. Excessive worryingcan cause headaches.Reaction Formation: Acting outwardly the opposite of what one feels. Defense Mechanism WorksheetStudent Name:Class Period:Using the descriptions on the back of this worksheet, determine which defense mechanism bestfits the examples given here. It is helpful to work in small groups and discuss the examples andcome to a group consensus.1. Jim bought a sweater he really didn't need and couldn'tafford. He claimed it was a bargain he couldn't pass up.2. I got a dean referral because the teacher doesn't like me.3. Whenever there is something unpleasant to do, Mary getssick.4. Tom is not strong academically, so he puts extra effort intosports.5. Bill seems unable to recognize any of his faults6. Mister Smith had an argument with his boss. When he gothome he beat his wife.7. Dan pouts and sulks when he doesn't get his way.8. Whenever things go badly at work, Mr. Jones stops at thepark to play with the children.9. Bob blames the bat every time he strikes out.10. Mary has an overly strong urge to help people. Thisinfluenced her becoming a nurse.11. Lately Paul has begun to walk and talk like Brad Pitt.12. Mary never allows herself to cry when feels hurt13. When Tom was in school, he was always trying to getattention by making smart alec comments in class. Today hemakes a living as a stand up comic.14. Bill complains about his job. He says, "all thetaking the good gobs".15. Even though John likes Ellen, he teases her constantly.ners are

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals unconsciously employ to cope with…

Defense Mechanism Worksheet Student Name: Class Period: Using the descriptions on the back of this worksheet, determine which defense mechanism best fits the examples given here. It is helpful to work in small groups and discuss the examples and come to a group consensus. 1. Jim bought a sweater he really didn't need and couldn't afford. He claimed it was a bargain he couldn't pass up. 2. I got a dean referral because the teacher doesn't like me. 3. Whenever there is something unpleasant to do, Mary gets sick. 4. Tom is not strong academically, so he puts extra effort into sports. 5. Bill seems unable to recognize any of his faults 6. Mister Smith had an argument with his boss. When he got home he beat his wife. 7. Dan pouts and sulks when he doesn't get his way. 8. Whenever things go badly at work, Mr. Jones stops at the park to play with the children. 9. Bob blames the bat every time he strikes out. 10. Mary has an overly strong urge to help people. This influenced her becoming a nurse. 11. Lately Paul has begun to walk and talk like Brad Pitt. 12. Mary never allows herself to cry when feels hurt 13. When Tom was in school, he was always trying to get attention by making smart aiec comments in class. Today he makes a living as a stand up comic. 14. Bill complains about his job. He says, "all the foreigners are taking the good gobs". 15. Even though John likes Ellen, he teases her constantly.

Defense Mechanism Worksheet Student Name: Class Period: Using the descriptions on the back of this worksheet, determine which defense mechanism best fits the examples given here. It is helpful to work in small groups and discuss the examples and come to a group consensus. 1. Jim bought a sweater he really didn't need and couldn't afford. He claimed it was a bargain he couldn't pass up. 2. I got a dean referral because the teacher doesn't like me. 3. Whenever there is something unpleasant to do, Mary gets sick. 4. Tom is not strong academically, so he puts extra effort into sports. 5. Bill seems unable to recognize any of his faults 6. Mister Smith had an argument with his boss. When he got home he beat his wife. 7. Dan pouts and sulks when he doesn't get his way. 8. Whenever things go badly at work, Mr. Jones stops at the park to play with the children. 9. Bob blames the bat every time he strikes out. 10. Mary has an overly strong urge to help people. This influenced her becoming a nurse. 11. Lately Paul has begun to walk and talk like Brad Pitt. 12. Mary never allows herself to cry when feels hurt 13. When Tom was in school, he was always trying to get attention by making smart aiec comments in class. Today he makes a living as a stand up comic. 14. Bill complains about his job. He says, "all the foreigners are taking the good gobs". 15. Even though John likes Ellen, he teases her constantly.