Ego Defense Mechanisms

Arguing against an anxiety provoking stimuli by stating it doesn't exist ex: denying that your physician's diagnosis of cancer is correct and seeking a second opinion

Taking out impulses onto a less threatining target ex: slamming a door instead of hitting as person

Avoiding unacceptable emotions by focusing on the intellectual aspects ex: when losing an argument, you state "You're just Stupid;"

Placing unacceptable impulses in yourself onto someone else ex: stating that you were fired because you didn't kiss up the the boss, when the real reason was your poor performance

Taking the opposite belief because the true belief causes anxiety ex: having a bias against a particular race or culture and then embracing that race or culture to the extreme

Returning to a previous stage of developmentex: throwing a temper tantrum when you don't get your way

Pulling into the unconscious ex: forgetting sexual abuse from your childhood due to the trauma and anxiety

Acting out unacceptable impulses in a socially acceptable way ex: sublimating your aggressive impulses toward a career as a boxer

Pushing into the unconsciousex: trying to forget something that causes anxiety