Uriel Robles

Freudian Defense Mechanisms

The following lesson will guide students through an overview of Sigmund Freud  and the
defense mechanisms he developed through the lens of psychoanalysis and dynamic
consciousness.

By engaging with this lesson, students will be able to :

1. Summarize how individuals come to develop a defense mechanism

2. Identify and explain the top 8 Freudian defense mechanisms

3. Apply their understanding of defense mechanisms to scenarios with over 90%

accuracy 

WHO IS S IGMUND FR EUD?

Freud 101

DEFENS E MEC HANIS MS

Developing a Defense Mechanism

Meet the Mechanisms!

 Mechanism Pairing

TES T YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Defense Mechanism Scenarios

Lesson 1 of 5

Freud 101
Uriel Robles

Who was Sigmund Freud?

Sigmund Freud, born in 1856 in the now Czech Republic, is credited as being a highly acclaimed
neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis (Jay, 2023). Freud's theories around the conscious and
unconscious mind were as divisive as they were intriguing. Psychoanalyst approaches involve diving
deep into the unconscious mental processes of an individual in an effort to treat their mental disorders. 

Review these Resources:

Who was Freud?

Freudian Theories 
Click through the following cards to learn about to more popular Freudian theories still discussed
today! 

Three essential parts of the human

personality

Id is the primitive, impulsive and

The Id, Ego, and Super Ego irrational unconscious that
operates solely on the outcome of
pleasure or pain and is
responsible for instincts to sex
and aggression.

Ego is the “I” people perceive

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Freud postulated that the id was the

basic source of psychic energy or the
force that drives all mental processes.
In particular, he believed that libido, or
Psychic Energy sexual urges, was a psychic energy
that drives all human actions; the libido
was countered by Thanatos, the death
instinct that drives destructive
behavior. 

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 Between the ages of three and five,
Freud suggested that as a normal part
of the development process all kids are
sexually attracted to the parent of the
Oedipus Complex
opposite sex and in competition with
the parent of the same sex. The theory
is named after the Greek legend of
Oedipus, who killed his father so he
could marry his mother. 

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In his book The Interpretation of

Dreams, Freud believed that people
dreamed for a reason: to cope with
problems the mind is struggling with
Dream Analysis subconsciously and can’t deal with
consciously. Dreams were fueled by a
person’s wishes. Freud believed that by
analyzing our dreams and memories,
we can understand them, which can
subconsciously influence our current

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CO N T IN U E  D E VE L O P IN G A D E F E N S E M E CH AN IS M
Lesson 2 of 5

Developing a Defense Mechanism

Uriel Robles

What are Defense Mechanism?

One of Freud's most noted research involved the mind's ability to protect itself from anxiety-inducing
cognitive experiences. These are known as defense mechanisms and they occur unconsciously,
effectively altering the reality of the individual on a cognitive level. It is important to note that defense
mechanisms occur naturally and are normal. We use them to help us cope with the day-to-day feelings
we experience when the Id or Superego begins to become too demanding. 

Review the Learning Materials Below:

Understanding Defense Mechanisms (Cramer, 2015). PDF article from the American
Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry.

10 Psychological Defense Mechanisms. Watch (04:11) this short video on defense

mechanisms.

Defense Mechanism Infographic. Review the infographic to get a visual overview of

common defense mechanisms 

CO N T IN U E  M E E T T H E M E CH AN IS M S !
Lesson 3 of 5

Meet the Mechanisms!

Uriel Robles

D EN I A L P R O JEC TI O N

Anna Freud built upon her father's defense mechanisms by adding denial, in addition to 9 others. If there
is a situation that is too much for an individual to cognitively handle, they will demonstrate the denial
defense mechanism. The person would begin to refuse or perceive the event by denying it's existence
and impact on their life.

What is Denial in Psychology I Defense Mechanism I Emot…

 D EN I A L P R O JEC TI O N

Another one of Anna's mechanisms, projection is noted when an individual begins to attribute unwanted
experiences, thoughts, and feelings onto someone else. Rather than taking account of their own feelings
or unacceptable desires, an individual displaces the feelings and thoughts outwards. 

What Does It Mean To Project? A Psychological Defense …

CO N T IN U E  M e c ha ni sm P a i r i ng
Lesson 4 of 5

Mechanism Pairing
Uriel Robles

Match the defense mechanisms with their accurate definitions

Refusal to accept reality, thus

Denial blocking external events from
awareness

Involves individuals attributing their

Projection own feelings, thoughts and
behaviors to another

Satisfying an impulse with a

Displacement
substitute object

Making up a logical reason why

Rationalization
something is happening

Satisfying an impulse with a

Sublimation socially acceptable substitute
object
 Reducing anxiety by adopting
Reaction Formation
beliefs contrary to your own

Movement back in psychological

Regression
time when one is faced with stress

The ego preventing the threatening

Repression thoughts of an individual from
becoming conscious

SUBMIT

CO N T IN U E
Lesson 5 of 5

Defense Mechanism Scenarios

Uriel Robles

Complete the defense mechanism scenarios below

 Go through the dialogue and scenarios to identify which defense
mechanism best describes what is going on. 

CONTINUE

Scene 1 Slide 1
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 My best friend is refusing to see the obvious
signs that her boyfriend is cheating on her
with their downstairs neighbor. He is
consistently asking her for money, running
errands, and texting others.

1 She is showing the REPRESSION defense mechanism

2 She is showing the DENIAL defense mechanism

3 She is showing the PROJECTION defense mechanism

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