Question 1

Which of the following represents the correct order of the stages in psychosexual development?

Accepted Answer

The correct order of the stages in psychosexual development, according to Freud's theory, is oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. Option D lists the correct order in sequence.

Question 2

Rico worries about his tendency toward abusing animals, so he joins the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Which defence mechanism is he using?

Accepted Answer

Rico's joining of the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals may signify his effort to suppress his tendency to abuse animals and form a positive attitude towards them. This can be an example of reaction formation where a person hides their true feelings by exhibiting opposite behavior.

Question 3

Failure to resolve conflict at a particular stage of psychosexual development may lead to failure to move forward psychologically. What did Freud call this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Freud called this phenomenon fixation.

Question 4

Which defence mechanism involves pushing distressing thoughts into the unconscious and keeping them there?

Accepted Answer

Repression involves pushing distressing thoughts into the unconscious and keeping them there. Neurogenic amnesia refers to memory loss due to brain damage or injury, while avoidance and suppression are different defence mechanisms that involve either avoiding or consciously pushing away distressing thoughts, feelings or behaviors.

Question 5

Graham lost a lot of money on some bad investments in the stock market. Consequently he had to trade his expensive luxury car for a smaller, more economical car. He has been telling all his coworkers that he made the switch to do his part to stop pollution. Which defence mechanism is Graham using, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

Graham is using rationalization, as he is justifying trading his luxury car for a smaller one by telling his coworkers that he did it to reduce pollution, rather than acknowledging the financial setback that led him to make the change.

Question 6

Hal is fearful of men who are friendly toward him, convinced that they are all homosexuals attempting to seduce him. Freud might suggest that Hal is himself a latent homosexual, fearful of admitting this even to himself. What defence mechanism is Hal using, in that case?

Accepted Answer

Hal is using the defense mechanism of projection, where he is projecting his own repressed desires onto others. He fears admitting his own homosexuality, so he projects this fear onto others as a defense mechanism.

Question 7

Meagan is strongly attracted to one of the men whom she works with, but he is married. To deal with the anxiety that her feelings have generated, she has unconsciously convinced herself that her coworker is attracted to her. What defence mechanism is Meagan using, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

Projection is a defence mechanism in which a person unconsciously shifts their own emotions or desires onto another person. In this case, Meagan is projecting her attraction onto her coworker by convincing herself that he is attracted to her, which helps to alleviate some of the anxiety she feels about her own feelings.

Question 8

Callie just gave birth to her sixth daughter. Unconsciously, she resents the baby's birth and wishes the infant would have died during delivery. However, when she cares for her infant she showers her with exaggerated care and affection. Which defence mechanism is Callie using, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

Callie is using the defence mechanism of reaction formation, where she is expressing exaggerated care and affection towards her infant as a way to repress or deny her true feelings of resentment and wishing the infant had died during delivery.

Question 9

What did Freud mean when he used the term "sexual" in his psychosexual stages of development?

Accepted Answer

Freud's use of the term "sexual" in the context of his psychosexual stages of development refers broadly to any pleasure-giving urge, not just those directly related to genital sexual impulses or romantic love. He believed that various parts of the body could provide pleasure and that this pleasure-seeking energy (libido) was a driving force in human development and behavior.

Question 10

Scott has just been reprimanded by his supervisor. Later on, Scott begins to "stomp around" and throws a tantrum in front of his co-workers. Which defence mechanism is Scott using?

Accepted Answer

Scott is exhibiting regression, which is the defence mechanism where a person reverts to immature behaviours from an earlier stage of development as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. In this case, Scott's tantrum is a behaviour typical of a child throwing a tantrum, rather than an adult handling their emotions in a mature way.

Question 11

Which of the following defence mechanisms defines going back to an earlier way of gratifying needs as an adult?

Accepted Answer

Regression is the defence mechanism that involves going back to an earlier, less mature stage of development to satisfy one's needs. For example, an adult may throw a temper tantrum or suck their thumb when feeling overwhelmed or stressed - this is regressing to a childlike behavior in order to find comfort. Fixation refers to becoming stuck in a particular stage of development, while reaction formation involves expressing the opposite of one's true feelings to cope with anxiety or inner conflict. Repression involves pushing unwanted thoughts or feelings out of conscious awareness.

Question 12

Jose is one of the top baseball players in his league, but last week he struck out on an easy pitch. Afterward, he smashed the water cooler in the dugout with his bat. What defence mechanism is Jose using, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

Jose is using displacement, which is redirecting his negative emotions (frustration from striking out) onto a safer target (the water cooler) rather than expressing them in the moment or confronting the source of his frustration.

Question 13

Whenever Uma is denied anything by her husband, she pouts and gives him the silent treatment. Which defence mechanism reflects this immature way of dealing with reality?

Accepted Answer

Uma's behavior of pouting and giving the silent treatment when denied something by her husband is an example of regression. Regression is a defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development in their behavior, thoughts, or feelings in response to stressful situations or emotional conflict. In this case, Uma's response is akin to how a child might react when upset or denied something they want, indicating a temporary regression to a more childish state of dealing with disappointment or conflict.

Question 14

Bruce attempts to make himself feel important by driving a European sports car, belonging to an exclusive tennis club, and eating at the best restaurants. Which defence mechanism might Bruce be using?

Accepted Answer

Bruce is using identification as a defense mechanism, where he attempts to boost his self-esteem by associating himself with high-status symbols like a European sports car, an exclusive tennis club, and fine dining.

Question 15

A man who has numerous reasons to hate his mother instead lavishes her with unrealistic amounts of attention and love. Which defence mechanism is he using?

Accepted Answer

The man in this scenario is using the defence mechanism of reaction formation, which involves expressing the opposite of one's true feelings. In this case, the man may be harboring deep resentment towards his mother but instead expresses an exaggerated amount of attention and love towards her. This is a form of overcompensation to mask his true feelings.

Question 16

What is the defence mechanism in which you attribute your own thoughts or motives to others?

Accepted Answer

Projection is the defence mechanism in which an individual attributes their own thoughts, feelings, or motives onto someone else. It is a way to reduce anxiety by projecting unacceptable thoughts onto others, making them responsible for such thoughts instead.

Question 17

Which defence mechanism involves bolstering one's self-esteem by forming an imaginary or real alliance with some person or group?

Accepted Answer

Identification is a defense mechanism where an individual boosts their self-esteem by aligning themselves with a person or group, either real or imagined.

Question 18

Skye is five years old, and two weeks ago her mother had a baby boy. Since her brother was brought home, Skye has insisted on drinking all her juice from baby bottles, and she has started wetting her bed. What defence mechanism does this reflect, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

Skye is exhibiting behaviors that she had previously outgrown due to the stress and anxiety surrounding the arrival of her new sibling. This is an example of regression, which is a defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development when faced with a challenging or overwhelming situation.

Question 19

Why does a person become fixated at a particular psychosexual stage, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, fixation occurs when a person's needs are either excessively gratified or excessively frustrated during a particular psychosexual stage. This leads to the individual being fixated at that stage, which can have a lasting impact on their personality and behavior. There is no evidence to support choices A, B, or C.

Question 20

Todd was physically abused up until the age of eight. He is now 40 years old and he has absolutely no memories of the early abuse that he experienced. What defence mechanism is Todd using, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

Todd is using the defence mechanism of repression, which is the act of unconsciously shoving unpleasant or traumatic memories out of one's conscious mind to avoid feeling emotions associated with the memories. In Todd's case, he has no conscious memory of the abuse he experienced as a child, which is likely due to his use of repression as a coping mechanism.

Quiz 12: A: Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment