(i) Compensation
Compensation is a process of psychologically counterbalancing perceived weaknesses by emphasizing strength in other arenas. By emphasizing and focusing on one’s strengths, a person is recognizing they cannot be strong at all things and in all areas in their lives. When done appropriately and not in an attempt to over-compensate, compensation is defense mechanism that helps reinforce a person’s self-esteem and self-image.
Example
When a person says, “I may not know how to cook, but I can sure do the dishes!, he trying to compensate for his lack of cooking skills by emphasizing his cleaning skills instead.
(j) Fantasy
When a person meets his needs or achieves any goal only in the imagination to overcome frustration, his ego exercises fantasy defense mechanism. Using this mechanism one considers oneself capable, powerful and respected. Fantasies provide some compensatory gratification to the individual and work as a preventive measure.
Example
An unrealistic wish to be considered as a great leader, or a famous cricketer or an athlete or film actor with highly admirable performances are some of the features of fantasy.
(k) Intellectualization (Isolation)
This defense mechanism is related to both emotional insulation and rationalization. One may divert stress, avoid a stressful emotional reaction and feel comfortable, by offering a rational explanation (intellectualization). To reduce our own guilt feelings one may see shortcoming in others. Intellectualization may be used in excessively stressful 1 as well as mildly by stressful situations in life.
Example
Very often we reduce our pain when a close friend or relative dies by saying that he I lived a full life or died painlessly.