Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?

WORKSHEET Name:________________ Chapter Five: Human Hiding Places Methods of Ego Defense What is the purpose or role of an ego defense mechanism? Why are we unaware of them? How do we handle them? Is there any concern in trying to remove them?

In our own words try to explain what Alfred Adler discovered about ego defense systems and what was his contribution to understanding how they work in our lives.

1. Reaction Formation: First explain in your own words what reaction formation is as a defense mechanism. Then offer a good example that clearly shows you understand how it works.

What is the danger in being overly conscientious about others exaggerated behaviors?

In general, however, what does exaggerated behavior often indicate? 2. Displacement: This defense allows one to express a desire or feeling that our conscience has censored by expressing it in some indirect manner. In your notes it gives three variations of how one can use displacement. In the space below give an example for each of the three ways one may use displacement. If you become aware of how you use it in your own life and would like to use a personal example that is even better.

3. Projection: Okay, here is one that even though it is unconscious we all know that we do it. A teacher telling his class they are out of control when in fact he has no control over the material or the class. Or, a student feeling a teacher is so unfair when in fact it is the student who has been unfair in her evaluation of the teacher. So, now it is your turn. No baloney! I want at least two good examples of projection, and one of them must be about how you projected onto another. Good Luck!

4. Introjection: Here we go again, another of the defense mechanisms many of us use. Give me two one involving someone else (no names, please) and one involving you. Think! Be Honest!

5. Rationalization: Alright, this is the grand-daddy of all defense mechanisms. First tell me how it is possible for people to rationalize (read carefully about choosing evil!):

Now, the moment of truth. Take a good look at yourself and give me three examples of when you have rationalized one with your parents, one with a teacher, and one with your friends. (Hint: Ultimately, rationalizing is the fine art of lying without admitting to ourselves that we are doing it. So in your examples you really had to believe what you were doing in that moment, okay. Again, tempting to rush through this section, but the more honest you can be, the more you will learn about yourself!) With My Parents:

With One of My Teachers;

With One of My Friends:

Caution: Human Beings Again, as always, put into your own words why it is so dangerous to strip someone of an ego defense (remember, the individual does not even know he/she is using this defense)?

So how would YOU go about helping someone realize that he/she is using a defense mechanism?

The Greatest Kindness: The Truth In your notes it states what I feel it means to exercise such kindness and truth to another. It is important that you internalize this for your life, therefore, tell me in your own words how you will live out your life acting in such a manner.

Learn this quotation (that does not mean you need to memorize it, but internalize it!) It costs so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment, or the courage, to pay the price One has to abandon altogether the search for security, and reach out to the risk of living with both arms. One has to embrace the world like a lover. One has to accept pain as a condition of existence. One has to count doubt and darkness as the cost of knowing. One needs a will stubborn in conflict, but apt always to total acceptance of every consequence of living and dying. Morris L. West In The Shoes of the Fisherman