defense mechanism
Plural
defense mechanisms
1
an unconscious mental strategy individuals use to cope with anxiety, discomfort, or threatening emotions
- Denial, a defense mechanism, involves refusing to accept or acknowledge the reality of a situation.
- Rationalization is a defense mechanism where individuals provide logical or reasonable explanations to justify their behavior.
- Sublimation is a defense mechanism where individuals channel unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.
- Undoing is a defense mechanism where individuals try to reverse or make up for unacceptable thoughts or actions through compulsive behaviors.
- Humor can serve as a defense mechanism, allowing individuals to find amusement in challenging situations to alleviate tension and anxiety.