Mechanism Repression Denial Projection Description Repression is an unconscious mechanism employed by the ego to keep disturbing or threatening thoughts from becoming conscious. Denial involves blocking external events from awareness. If some situation is just too much to handle, the person just refuses to experience it. This involves individuals attributing their own unacceptable thoughts, feeling and motives to another person. Displacement Satisfying an impulse (e.g. aggression) with a substitute object. Regression Sublimation This is a movement back in psychological time when one is faced with stress. Satisfying an impulse (e.g. aggression) with a substitute object. In a socially acceptable way. Example During the Oedipus complex aggressive thoughts about the same sex parents are repressed For example, smokers may refuse to admit to themselves that smoking is bad for their health. You might hate someone, but your superego tells you that such hatred is unacceptable. You can 'solve' the problem by believing that they hate you. Someone who is frustrated by his or her boss at work may go home and kick the dog, A child may begin to suck their thumb again or wet the bed when they need to spend some time in the hospital. Sport is an example of putting our emotions (e.g. aggression) into something constructive.