Question 1

Having a rather poor sense of self worth, 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. Bruce may be using the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

Bruce is using the defense mechanism of identification, where an individual boosts their self-esteem by associating themselves with certain statuses, groups, or possessions. In this case, Bruce is trying to feel important by identifying with high-status items and groups, such as a European sports car, an exclusive tennis club, and dining at the best restaurants.

Question 2

The impending possibility of a forbidden impulse getting out of control and being expressed in behavior would be most apt to produce ____ in the person.

Accepted Answer

The impending possibility of a forbidden impulse getting out of control and being expressed in behavior is likely to create anxiety. The fear and uncertainty of the consequences of acting on such an impulse can contribute to feelings of worry, nervousness, and tension.

Question 3

Having performed poorly on an exam, Barbara attempts to protect her feelings of self-worth by telling herself that it does not matter because the course really is not that important to her. Barbara is probably

Accepted Answer

Barbara is rationalizing, which involves justifying or explaining away one's actions or feelings with logical reasons or excuses. In this case, she is using the excuse that the course is not important to her to protect her self-worth after performing poorly on the exam.

Question 4

Whenever Wanda is denied anything by her husband, she pouts and gives him the silent treatment. This immature way of dealing with reality can be referred to as

Accepted Answer

The behavior described is an example of regression, which involves reacting to stress by retreating to an earlier stage of development characterized by childlike behavior. Pouting and giving the silent treatment is a behavior more commonly associated with children, and not an effective means of communication in adult relationships.

Question 5

Meagan is strongly attracted to one of the men that she works with. However, her coworker is married. To deal with the anxiety that her feelings have generated, she has unconsciously convinced herself that her coworker is attracted to her. According to Freud, Meagan may be unconsciously dealing with the anxiety caused by her feelings toward her coworker using the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

Meagan is projecting her own feelings onto her coworker, by convincing herself that he is attracted to her. This is a common defense mechanism used to deal with anxiety or other uncomfortable emotions. Option A (repression) would involve suppressing or pushing down her feelings, which is not the case here. Option B (reaction formation) involves expressing the opposite of one's true feelings, which does not fit this scenario either. Option D (identification) involves taking on the characteristics of someone else to deal with anxiety, which is also not applicable in this case.

Question 6

Attributing one's own thoughts or motives to others defines

Accepted Answer

Projection is the defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own thoughts, feelings, and motives to others.

Question 7

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. According to Freud, Skye may be unconsciously dealing with her feelings toward her new brother using the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

Skye's behavior of drinking from baby bottles and wetting her bed are examples of regression, a defense mechanism in which a person reverts to an earlier stage of development or behavior. Skye may be unconsciously trying to regain the attention and affection she received when she was a baby, as she now perceives her new brother as a potential threat to her relationship with her parents.

Question 8

The process of pushing distressing thoughts into the unconscious and keeping them there is known as

Accepted Answer

The process described is repression, where the individual buries distressing thoughts or memories deep into the unconscious in an attempt to avoid the discomfort they cause. Suppression (B) is a conscious effort to push away unwanted thoughts or emotions. Avoidance (C) is a behavioral response to avoid situations, people, or things that trigger distressing thoughts or emotions. Neurogenic amnesia (A) refers to memory loss caused by damage to the brain, rather than a conscious effort to forget or repress memories.

Question 9

The defense mechanism of bolstering one's self esteem by forming an imaginary or real alliance with some person or group is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Identification is the defense mechanism where an individual associates themselves with a person or group that they view as being strong, successful, or admirable in some way, in order to boost their own self-esteem.

Question 10

As an adult, going back to an earlier way of gratifying needs defines

Accepted Answer

Regression is a defense mechanism in which an adult reverts to an earlier stage of development to gratify their needs. This may involve returning to behaviors or thought patterns from childhood that were associated with comfort or security.

Question 11

John worries about his tendency toward abusing animals, so he joins the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. John's behavior can be viewed as an example of

Accepted Answer

John's behavior of joining an organization that is focused on preventing animal cruelty can be seen as a form of reaction formation, where he is attempting to counteract his negative impulses toward animals by engaging in behavior that is the opposite of his impulses.

Question 12

Graham lost over $10,000 on some bad investments in the stock market. Consequently he had to trade the Cadillac he had been leasing 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. According to Freud, Graham may be unconsciously dealing with his guilt and anxiety over his stock market losses using the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

Graham is rationalizing his decision to trade in his Cadillac for a more economical car as a way to mask his guilt and anxiety over his financial losses. Rationalization is a defense mechanism in which a person justifies their actions or failures by providing logical explanations or excuses that are not necessarily true or accurate. In this case, Graham is rationalizing his decision to trade in his car as a way to tell others that he is doing it for the environment, when in reality, it was a financial necessity.

Question 13

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. According to Freud, Callie may be unconsciously dealing with her hostile feelings toward her new baby using the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which a person suppresses their true feelings and expresses the opposite behavior. In this case, Callie may be repressing her negative feelings towards her newborn and instead expressing exaggerated care and affection.

Question 14

A man who has numerous reasons to hate his mother instead lavishes her with unrealistic amounts of attention and love. He is probably exhibiting the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes reaction formation, in which an individual unconsciously expresses the opposite of their true feelings or impulses. The man may have unresolved anger or resentment towards his mother, but he unconsciously flips these negative emotions into an extreme display of love and attention. This defense mechanism helps him to deal with the uncomfortable feelings he has towards his mother by turning them into something more positive.

Question 15

Giving self-justifying plausible excuses that hide the real reasons for our behavior defines the defense mechanism known as

Accepted Answer

Rationalization involves coming up with explanations or justifications for our behavior that may not actually reflect the true motivations behind it. It allows us to avoid feelings of guilt or shame by convincing ourselves that our actions were reasonable and necessary.

Question 16

Hal is fearful of men who are friendly toward him, convinced that they are all homosexuals attempting to seduce him. Should it be the case that Hal is himself a latent homosexual, fearful of admitting this even to himself, we might conclude that he is using the defense mechanisms of repression and

Accepted Answer

Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or impulses to someone else. In this case, Hal is projecting his own fear of being a latent homosexual onto other men by assuming they are all attempting to seduce him.

Question 17

Jose is one of the top baseball players in his league, but last week he struck out on an easy pitch. When this happened he smashed the water cooler in the dugout with his bat. According to Freud, Jose may be unconsciously dealing with his anger at himself for striking out on an easy pitch by using the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

Displacement is when an individual redirects their negative emotions towards a less threatening target. In this case, Jose may have unconsciously redirected his anger at himself for striking out towards the water cooler, a less threatening target, and smashed it with his bat. This is a defense mechanism that allows him to deal with his negative emotions in a way that may be more socially acceptable than if he had expressed them towards himself or others directly.

Question 18

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. Scott's behavior exemplifies which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Scott's behavior of stomping and throwing a tantrum is an example of regression, which is a defense mechanism that involves reverting to childlike behavior in response to stress or frustration.

Question 19

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. According to Freud, Todd may be unconsciously dealing with the potential anxiety related to his abuse using the defense mechanism of

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, repression is a defense mechanism that the mind uses to push uncomfortable or traumatic memories into the unconscious, where they are no longer consciously accessible. Todd's complete lack of memories of his early abuse suggests that he may be using repression as a defense mechanism.

Question 20

Defense mechanisms combat feelings of anxiety and guilt

Accepted Answer

Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies that are used to protect the ego from feelings of anxiety, guilt, and other forms of emotional distress. One of the ways in which defense mechanisms work is by allowing individuals to engage in self-deception, which involves distorting reality in order to minimize or avoid feelings of anxiety, guilt, or other negative emotions. For example, a person who is in denial may refuse to acknowledge certain aspects of reality that are causing them to feel anxious or guilty.

Quiz 23: Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment Part 1