Lecture on Defense Mechanisms

Introduction

• Presenter: Cathy from Level Up RN
• Topic: Defense mechanisms, both unconscious and conscious, used to decrease anxiety.
• Objective: Learn and remember 17 different defense mechanisms, presented in alphabetical order.
• Tip: Use repetition with flashcards.
• Quiz: A brief quiz at the end to test understanding.

Defense Mechanisms

1. Avoidance

• Description: Avoiding people or situations that trigger distressing thoughts or feelings.

2. Compensation

• Description: Focusing on strengths to divert attention away from weaknesses.
• Example: An individual struggles academically but excels in sports.

3. Conversion

• Description: Developing physical symptoms in response to stress without a medical cause.

4. Denial

• Description: Refusing to accept the reality of a situation.

5. Displacement

• Description: Transferring feelings from one target to another.
• Example: A patient takes out frustration on a nurse after receiving a poor diagnosis.

6. Dissociation

• Description: Compartmentalizing or disconnecting from reality.
• Example: A soldier feels detached, as if observing himself from the outside.

7. Identification

• Description: Adopting beliefs or behaviors of another person.

8. Intellectualization

• Description: Focusing on facts and logic to avoid emotions associated with a situation.

9. Projection

• Description: Attributing one's own thoughts and feelings to someone else.

10. Rationalization

• Description: Justifying unacceptable behavior with logical explanations.
• Example: A student cheats on a test and rationalizes the behavior as unnecessary to know.

11. Reaction Formation

• Description: Expressing opposite feelings or behavior from what is truly felt.
• Example: Teasing someone you actually like.

12. Regression

• Description: Reverting to an earlier developmental stage in response to stress.
• Example: A potty-trained child begins bedwetting after a new sibling is born.

13. Repression

• Description: Subconscious blocking of unpleasant feelings.
• Note: Involuntary, unlike suppression.

14. Splitting

• Description: Viewing individuals as all good or all bad; no gray area.
• Example: Seen in borderline personality disorder.

15. Sublimation

• Description: Transforming unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors.
• Example: Redirecting anger into exercise.

16. Suppression

• Description: Conscious blocking of unpleasant feelings.

17. Undoing

• Description: Attempting to reverse unacceptable behavior by engaging in corrective actions.
• Example: Being overly nice after being harsh during a review.

Quiz Questions

1. What is the subconscious or involuntary blocking of unpleasant feelings?
   • Answer: Repression
2. What do you call transforming unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors?
   • Answer: Sublimation
3. What is it called when expressing the opposite behavior or feelings from what is actually felt?
   • Answer: Reaction Formation

Conclusion

• Encouragement: Repetition is key to mastering these defense mechanisms.
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