splitting

n. A primitive defense mechanism whereby the individual deals with conflicting emotions (i.e., ambivalence) by identifying strongly with one side of the emotional experience only. For example, an individual may unconsciously feel frustration at his father as well as love and connection. Unconsciously this individual may feel that these two emotions are unable to coexist and specifically fear that feeling any frustration may eliminate the positive feelings of love. The solution is to temporarily identify only with one emotional experience at a time. The result is a vacillation between idealization and devaluation of others and seeing the world in “black and white” terms or as “all good or all evil.” As with most defense mechanisms, this process is unconscious; the individual using this defense mechanism is only aware of his or her current strong emotional experience and is oblivious to other complicated feelings. – DGa