| A | B |
|---|
| Denial | A client on strict bed rest is walking down the hall; shows refusal to acknowledge need to stay in bed because of illness |
| Repression | “I don’t know why I have to wash my hands all the time, I just have to.” |
| Suppression | A nurse must study for the NCLEX, but she has had a heated argument with her boyfriend. She decides not to think about the problem until she finishes studying, then she will attempt to resolve it. |
| Rationalization | A friend tells you that he has been in a car accident because the car skidded on wet leaves in the road; you go to the scene of the accident, but there are no leaves, friend admits to you and to self that he was probably driving too fast. |
| Reaction-formation | A man has an unconscious desire to view pornographic films; he circulates a petition to close the theater where such films are shown. |
| Compensation | A young man who cannot make a varsity teams becomes the chess champion in his school. |
| Projection | A student who would like to cheat on an exam states that other students are trying to cheat. |
| Displacement | The manager reprimands you; you do not argue even though you do not agree with her reprimand; when you return home that evening you are hostile toward your roommate. |
| Identification | You greatly admire the clinical specialist in your hospital; unconsciously you begin to use the approaches she uses with clients. |
| Conversion | A young woman unconsciously desires to strike her mother; she develops sudden paralysis of her arms. |
| Dissociation | A student who prides herself on being prompt does not recall the times that she arrived late for class. |
| Undoing | Joan tells an ethnic joke to a coworker, Sally, Sally, a member of the ethnic group, is offended ; the following week Joan offers to work the weekend for Sally. |
| Regression | When a new baby is brought home, a 5-year-old Billy begins to wet his pants . |
| Splitting | A client tells you that you are the best nurse. Later tells you that you are incompetent and she will report you. |
