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Defense mechanisms, in short, could be described as ways of distracting ourselves from unconscious feelings involving unpleasant thoughts, feelings or desires. Defense mechanisms are actually defiend as self-deceptive techniques for reducing stress. According to this definition (from our Psychology textbook) defense mechanisms may help reduce stress, but still are deceiving and put away in the unconscious mind. In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, the defense mechanisms can be seen as a mediation by the ego of id impulses that are in conflict with any of the wishes and needs of the superego and ego. A person makes theses mediations tolerable by altering and distorting reality, which is one of the the two chief characteristics of defense mechanisms. Rationalization: Rationalization is one of the more common defense mechanisms. Rationalization is used by making excuses for our behaviors. it has two common principles: a. It helps to justify what we do and what we believe. b. It aids in softening