DenialThis mechanism is almost primitive in its simplicity. In denial, the individual refuses to admit that certain impulses or thoughts even exist. The infantile aspects of denial and the need to discharge guilt are shown by rather humorous events in childhood. ( And children typically show the defense in their most blatant form – before they learn how to disguise them better). Sometimes a child will walk up to a parent and say, out of the blue, “I didn‟t take any cookies out of the box in the closet,” even though the issue has not even come up. At the more serious level, denial in most of our lives is seen most clearly in our reaction to terrible news or death we say “That can‟t be” or “Oh, no!” as if to negate what we say have just heard.