What is Defense Mechanism Their Types and Examples of Defense Mechanisms

DEFENSE MECHANISM:

 Ego is developing a defense strategy in an effort to reduce tensions between ID and Superego. It is also known as the ego defense mechanism because it was invented by the ego. It is designed to make the personality work properly. Defensive tactics are characterized by denial or distortion of reality in order to reduce tensions, this is normal behavior and it runs on an unconscious level. Once used defensively, its purpose is to reduce stress but if used excessively it means that the individual is trying to avoid facing reality.

Below is a table of the list of defense mechanism:

DEFENSE MECHANISM	DESCRIPTIONS	EXAMPLES
Repression	Unpleasant memories are stored in the subconscious mind and are not available to the conscious mind.	An accident victim nearly dies but remembers none details of the accident
Displacement	Transferring feelings of hostility to someone else who is less dangerous than the original source	After parental scolding, a young girl takes her anger out on her little brother.
Rationalization	Having unacceptable actions seem logical and rational by justifying or giving a fair explanation	A student fails a test because she did not study hard enough but blames her failure on the teacher for using ‘tricky’ question
Denial	Reality is twisted to fulfill the desires of individuals.	An alcoholic fails to acknowledge that he is addicted to alcohol
Regression	Reversing the characteristic behavior of the first stage of development	After Lucy’s parents bitter divorce, she refuse to sleep alone in her room and crawling into bed with her mother
Reaction formation	Thinking or behaving in the way that worries them is the exact opposite	A woman who loves an unobtainable man but behaves as though she hates him
Projection	Allocated to share one's thoughts, feelings and motivations with others	Sue feels a sexual attraction to her track coach and tells her friend, "He's likes me."
Compensation	Covering up weaknesses by emphasizing certain desired features	A physically handicapped boy is unable to participate in football, so he compensates by becoming a great scholar.