Defense mechanisms

A largely unconscious motivation to feel caring and concern for others and act for the well-being of others.

Altruism

The transference of emotions associated with a particular person, object, or situation to another no threatening person, object, or situation.

Displacement

The disruption of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment that results in compartmentalizing uncomfortable or unpleasant aspects of oneself.

Dissociation

Attributing to oneself the characteristics of another person or group. May be done consciously or unconsciously.

Identification

A process in which events are analyzed based on remote, cold facts and without passion, rather than incorporating feeling and emotion into the processing.

Intellectualization

The conscious decision to delay addressing a disturbing situation or feeling.

Suppression

The inability to integrate the positive and negative qualities of oneself or others into a cohesive image.

Splitting

An unconscious process of transforming negative impulses into less damaging and even productive impulses.

Sublimation

When a person makes up for a regrettable act or communication.

Undoing

Used to counterbalance perceived deficiencies by emphasizing strengths

compensation

The unconscious transformation of anxiety into a physical symptom with no organic cause.

conversion

involves escaping unpleasant, anxiety-causing thoughts, feelings, wishes, or needs by ignoring their existence

denial

refers to the unconscious rejection of emotionally unacceptable features and attributing them to others

projection

consists of justifying illogical or unreasonable ideas, actions, or feelings by developing acceptable explanations that satisfy the teller as well as the listener.

rationalization

when unacceptable feelings or behaviors are controlled and kept out of awareness by developing the opposite behavior or emotion

reaction formation

reverting to an earlier, more primitive and childlike pattern of behavior that may or may not have been previously exhibited

regression

An unconscious exclusion of unpleasant or unwanted experiences, emotions, or ideas from conscious awareness.

repression