Question

Instructions: Each of the following 12 scenarios illustrates one of Freud’s defense mechanisms from the list below. Select your answers from the defense mechanisms listed below. Read each case, identify the defense mechanism, and explain how it is illustrated by the example (1⁄2 point for correctly identifying the defense mechanism, 1⁄2 point for correct explanation = 12 points total). See pages 40-41 in the lab manual as well as the textbook and powerpoint for definitions and examples. Name Lab Day and Time Instructor Displacement Reaction Formation Sublimation Projection Rationalization Regression Repression Denial 42

1. Secretly, Amanda likes reading sexually explicit materials but she struggles because she feels it is morally wrong. She takes a job at the local library screening books for obscenity in order to protect the public. What defense is Amanda using?

2. After Dhara was rejected by the admissions office at SFU, she claimed she wouldn’t enjoy attending such a large school anyway. Besides she knows she would receive higher grades at a smaller local college

3. Joel witnessed a brutal murder and is able to report few details about his experiences in the police because he is having trouble remembering any details of the crime

4. Emmanuel’s mother had been very busy taking on extra projects at work. She frequently works later or brings the project home to complete at night. Despite the fact that he is 8 years old, Emmanuel has been sucking his thumb and wetting his bed. What defense is Emmanuel using?

Answer 1

1.I think the defense mechanism used here is projection as Amanda who likes reading sexually explicit materials but finds it morally wrong is attributing her own feelings and thoughts to the public. She is shifting her feelings and thoughts to others.

2. Defense Mechanism - Reaction formation

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism which prevents dangerous thoughts or feelings from being expressed by behaving in an opposite manner.

Here, Dhara wanted to go to that large school but when she got rejected, she got upset. So, in order to prevent this feeling from being expressed in behavior, she is behaving as if she didn't want to go in the first place.

3. Defense Mechanism - Repression

Repression is a defense mechanism in which an individual unconsciously prevents a painful, traumatising event from entering conscious awareness

Here, murder is a traumatic event. Joel is unable to remember any details of the crime because he is unconsciously defending himself from going through that painful event.

4. Defense Mechanism - Regression

Regression is a defense mechanism in which an individual reverts back to an earlier stage of development when faced with a stressful event. It happens unconsciously to protect the individual from conflict and the tension it creates.

Despite being 8 years old, Emmanuel is wetting his bed and sucking his thumb which used to occur in an earlier stage of development because he is dealing with some stressful event and his mother is barely able to pay attention to him.