The document defines and provides examples of several common psychological defense mechanisms: 1) Denial is refusing to accept reality because it is too painful, like denying having an alcohol problem despite multiple drunk driving arrests. 2) Projection is attributing one's own undesired thoughts or feelings to others, like getting angry at a spouse for not listening when the angry person is actually the poor listener. 3) Rationalization is justifying behaviors with acceptable reasons rather than the real motivations, such as claiming cheating on a test is okay because many others do it.

2. Denial
 Not accepting reality because it is too painful.
 Example:
 You are arrested for drunk driving several times but don't believe
you have a problem with alcohol.

3. Channeling a feeling or thought from its actual source to
something or someone else.
Example:
When you get mad at your sister, you break your drinking glass
by throwing it against the wall.

4. Projection
 Is the misattribution of a person’s 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 not
listening, when in fact it is the angry spouse who does not
listen.

5. Rationalization
 Justifying one's 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 who
cheat so it's not a big deal I cheated this time.

6. 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 and
would like to quit her job may instead be overly kind and
generous toward her boss and express a desire to keep working
there forever.

7. 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.

8. Repression
 Burying a painful feeling or
thought from your awareness
though it may resurface in
symbolic form. Sometimes
considered a basis of other
defense mechanisms.
 Example:
 You can't remember your
father's funeral.

9. Sublimation
 Redirecting unacceptable, instinctual drives into
personally and socially acceptable channels.
 Example:
 Intense rage redirected in the form of participation in sports
such as boxing or football

10. Work Cites
 http://www.utahpsych.org/defensemechanisms.ht
m
 http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/15-common-
defense-mechanisms/all/1/