Ego Defense Mechanisms

Ego defense mechanisms are psychological processes that operate at an unconscious level and are employed by the ego in order to protect oneself from anxiety, distress, or internal conflicts.

1. Repression

Repression involves the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, memories, or desires from entering conscious awareness.

2. Denial

Denial is a defense mechanism in which individuals refuse to acknowledge the existence of painful or distressing realities.

3. Projection

Projection is attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts, feelings, or characteristics onto others instead of acknowledging them in oneself.

4. Rationalization

Rationalization is the use of logical, but often false, reasons to explain or justify certain behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.

5. Intellectualization

Intellectualization involves the overemphasis on rational thinking and analysis to avoid engaging with emotions or the emotional aspects of a situation.

6. Displacement

Displacement occurs when emotions or impulses are redirected from their original target onto a less threatening substitute target.

7. Sublimation

Sublimation refers to directing socially unacceptable urges or impulses into socially acceptable activities or outlets.

8. Reaction Formation

Reaction formation involves exhibiting behavior that is the opposite of one’s true feelings in order to keep those true feelings hidden.

9. Regression

Regression is the reverting back to earlier, more childlike stages of behavior as a response to stress or anxiety.

10. Suppression

Suppression is the conscious and deliberate effort to push distressing thoughts, memories, or emotions out of awareness.