Automatic and unconscious reactions to psychological stress.
Function by keeping conflicts out of the conscious mind to alleviate the prospects of anxiety caused by such conflicts.
Divided into mature and immature defense mechanisms.
Mature defense mechanisms indicate understanding or conscious awareness, while immature defense mechanisms utilize reversion to child-like actions to handle psychological distress.
Acting out-unacceptable thoughts of feelings expressed through attention getting actions.
Dissociation-temporary change in memory, personality or consciousness.