Different types of defence mechanisms along with their features are -

i) Projection

In projection, others are seen responsible for one's own shortcoming, mistake, misdeed, unacceptable impulses, thoughts and desires. Projection is the most common tendency being observed in human behaviour for ego protection. If a student fails in an examination helshe attributes it to poor teaching or the unfair behaviour of the teacher. Truants and delinquents blame their parents for their negligence, rejection or underestimation of their problems. Fate and bad luck are commonly used projections. Many times lifeless objects are blamed. If a snlall boy falls off a cycle he may attack it by kicking it. If a player slips he may return to the spot as if that was the cause of his slip.

ii) Reaction Formation

When an individual protects himself from dangerous desire developing of a conscious attitude and behaviour patterns opposite to repression, he uses reaction formation. In this situation one conceals hate with love, cruelty with kindness, sexual promiscuity with moralistic sexual attitude and behaviour. Thus he creates hurdles or barriers that reinforce his repression. His real desires and feelings are kept from conscious awareness. Reaction formation helps the individual to maintain his adjustment with socially accepted behaviour and avoid awareness of fear of self devaluating desires. One does not have a conscious control in this mechanism resulting in exaggerated and rigid fears of beliefs.

iii) Regression

Regression is a defence mechanism in which one performs reverted behaviour. The decline in attention of parents towards an elder child due to a new addition to the family may result in the elder one