Question | Answer |
Reaction formation | Unacceptable impulse is transformed into its opposite. |
Dissociation | Person's character or sense of identity is temporarily but drastically modified in order to avoid emotional distress. |
Identification | Process of adopting other people's characteristics. |
Denial | Failure to acknowledge some aspect of external reality that would be apparent to others. |
Distortion | Grossly reshaping external reality to suit inner needs. |
Projection | Attributing one’s own unacknowledged feelings, impulses, or thoughts to others. |
Projective Identification | Attribution of unacceptable personality characteristics onto another, followed by identification with that other. |
Acting-Out | Acting without reflection or apparent regard for negative consequences. |
Passive Aggression | Indirect and unassertive expression of aggression towards others. |
Regression | Return to earlier levels of adaptation. |
Displacement | Redirection of thoughts or feelings about a person or situation onto another, usually less threatening, person or situation. |
Intellectualization | Excessive abstract thinking to avoid experiencing disturbing feelings. |
Isolation | Separation of a feeling from its unpleasant idea. |
Rationalization | Use of reassuring or self-serving, but incorrect, explanations for one’s own or others’ behavior. |
Reaction Formation | Substitution of behavior, thoughts, or feelings that are dramatically opposed to one’s own unacceptable ones. |
Repression | Inability to remember to be cognitively aware of disturbing wishes, feelings, thoughts, or experiences. |
Idealization | Attribution of exaggerated positive qualities to self or others. |
Devaluation | Attribution of exaggerated negative qualities to self or others. |
Splitting | Experience of others as being all good or all bad (i.e., idealization or devaluation). |
Dissociation | A temporary alteration in the integrative functions of the consciousness of identity. |
Altruism | Vicarious but constructive and gratifying service to others. |
Humor | Use of comedy to overtly express thoughts or feelings without discomfort to self or others. |
Suppression | Intent and avoidance of thoughts about disturbing problems, desires, feelings, or experiences. |
Sublimation | Channeling of unacceptable thoughts and feelings into socially acceptable ones. |