Being angry at the boss and kicking the dog can be an example of displacement. Fantasy , when used as a defense mechanism, is the channeling of unacceptable or unattainable desires into imagination. This can protect ones self esteem as when educational, vocational or social expectations are not being met, one imagines success in these areas and wards off self condemnation. Intellectualization is the use of a cognitive approach without the attendant emotions to suppress and attempt to gain mastery over the perceived disorderly and potentially overwhelming impulses. An example might be an individual who when told they had a life threatening disease focuses exclusively on the statistical percentages of recovery and is unable to cope with their fear and sadness.
Projection is the attribution of one's undesired impulses onto another.
Thus, an angry spouse accuses their partner of hostility. Rationalization is the cognitive reframing of ones perceptions to protect the ego in the face of changing realities. Reaction Formation is the converting of wishes or impulses that are perceived to be dangerous into their opposites. A woman who is furious at her child and wishes her harm might become overly concerned and protective of the child's health. Regression is the reversion to an earlier stage of development in the face of unacceptable impulses.