Matching exercise for psychology students to identify and define defense mechanisms with corresponding examples.

Task Overview

The task requires matching each Defense Mechanism to its proper Definition and then matching the definition to the appropriate Example. The goal is to write the corresponding number (#) in front of each definition and example.

Defense Mechanisms and Their Definitions

1. Repression: Suppressing painful memories and thoughts in the unconscious.
2. Projection: Attributing unacceptable desires to others.
3. Displacement: Redirecting unacceptable desires through socially acceptable channels.
4. Reaction Formation: Reducing anxiety by adopting beliefs contrary to your own beliefs.
5. Regression: Returning to coping strategies for less mature stages of development.
6. Rationalization: Justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable reasons.
7. Denial: Refusing to accept real events because they are unpleasant.
8. Sublimation: Transferring inappropriate urges or behaviors onto a more acceptable or less threatening target.

Examples Provided

1. After being reprimanded at work, a person goes home and takes their anger out on a pet.
2. Instead of confronting his drinking problem, Johnny talks about how well he’s doing in school.
3. A person who feels the desire to expose themselves becomes an actor.
4. After a parent brings home a newborn, the 10-year-old sibling begins wetting their bed.
5. A person with homosexual tendencies expressing hatred towards homosexuals.
6. A person who is insecure about their body image complains about how other’s physical appearance is displeasing to them.
7. A person who “vapes” states that it’s less dangerous than smoking.
8. A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events.

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Solution Approach

#### Step 1: Match Each Defense Mechanism to Its Definition
We will analyze each defense mechanism and match it to the most appropriate definition.

1. Repression: "Suppressing painful memories and thoughts in the unconscious."
- Matches with: "A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events."

2. Projection: "Attributing unacceptable desires to others."
- Matches with: "A person with homosexual tendencies expressing hatred towards homosexuals."

3. Displacement: "Redirecting unacceptable desires through socially acceptable channels."
- Matches with: "A person who feels the desire to expose themselves becomes an actor."

4. Reaction Formation: "Reducing anxiety by adopting beliefs contrary to your own beliefs."
- Matches with: "A person who ‘vapes’ states that it’s less dangerous than smoking."

5. Regression: "Returning to coping strategies for less mature stages of development."
- Matches with: "After a parent brings home a newborn, the 10-year-old sibling begins wetting their bed."

6. Rationalization: "Justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable reasons."
- Matches with: "Instead of confronting his drinking problem, Johnny talks about how well he’s doing in school."

7. Denial: "Refusing to accept real events because they are unpleasant."
- Matches with: "A person who is insecure about their body image complains about how other’s physical appearance is displeasing to them."

8. Sublimation: "Transferring inappropriate urges or behaviors onto a more acceptable or less threatening target."
- Matches with: "After being reprimanded at work, a person goes home and takes their anger out on a pet."

#### Step 2: Write the Corresponding Numbers
Now, we will write the corresponding numbers in front of each definition and example.

| Defense Mechanism | Definition | Example |
|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1. Repression | Suppressing painful memories and thoughts in the unconscious. | 8. A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events. |
| 2. Projection | Attributing unacceptable desires to others. | 5. A person with homosexual tendencies expressing hatred towards homosexuals. |
| 3. Displacement | Redirecting unacceptable desires through socially acceptable channels. | 3. A person who feels the desire to expose themselves becomes an actor. |
| 4. Reaction Formation | Reducing anxiety by adopting beliefs contrary to your own beliefs. | 7. A person who ‘vapes’ states that it’s less dangerous than smoking. |
| 5. Regression | Returning to coping strategies for less mature stages of development. | 4. After a parent brings home a newborn, the 10-year-old sibling begins wetting their bed. |
| 6. Rationalization | Justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable reasons. | 2. Instead of confronting his drinking problem, Johnny talks about how well he’s doing in school. |
| 7. Denial | Refusing to accept real events because they are unpleasant. | 6. A person who is insecure about their body image complains about how other’s physical appearance is displeasing to them. |
| 8. Sublimation | Transferring inappropriate urges or behaviors onto a more acceptable or less threatening target. | 1. After being reprimanded at work, a person goes home and takes their anger out on a pet. |

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Final Answer

\boxed{
\begin{array}{|c|c|c|}
\hline
\text{Defense Mechanism} & \text{Definition} & \text{Example} \\
\hline
1. Repression & \text{Suppressing painful memories and thoughts in the unconscious.} & 8. A child who is abused by a parent later has no recollection of the events. \\
\hline
2. Projection & \text{Attributing unacceptable desires to others.} & 5. A person with homosexual tendencies expressing hatred towards homosexuals. \\
\hline
3. Displacement & \text{Redirecting unacceptable desires through socially acceptable channels.} & 3. A person who feels the desire to expose themselves becomes an actor. \\
\hline
4. Reaction Formation & \text{Reducing anxiety by adopting beliefs contrary to your own beliefs.} & 7. A person who ‘vapes’ states that it’s less dangerous than smoking. \\
\hline
5. Regression & \text{Returning to coping strategies for less mature stages of development.} & 4. After a parent brings home a newborn, the 10-year-old sibling begins wetting their bed. \\
\hline
6. Rationalization & \text{Justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable reasons.} & 2. Instead of confronting his drinking problem, Johnny talks about how well he’s doing in school. \\
\hline
7. Denial & \text{Refusing to accept real events because they are unpleasant.} & 6. A person who is insecure about their body image complains about how other’s physical appearance is displeasing to them. \\
\hline
8. Sublimation & \text{Transferring inappropriate urges or behaviors onto a more acceptable or less threatening target.} & 1. After being reprimanded at work, a person goes home and takes their anger out on a pet. \\
\hline
\end{array}
}