Antonio claims his classmates are all bullies who like to hurt people. In fact, Antonio is the most feared child in the school, and his teachers feel that he takes pleasure in humiliating others. Freud would suggest that Antonio's belief reflects

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Projection is a defense mechanism described by Freud in which individuals attribute their own unacceptable or unwanted impulses, feelings, or behaviors onto others. In this case, Antonio claims his classmates are bullies who like to hurt people, when it is actually him who exhibits those behaviors. This is a classic example of projection. Answer B) reaction formation involves expressing the opposite of one's true feelings, and answer C) regression involves retreating to an earlier developmental stage. Answer D) repression involves pushing down unconscious thoughts or memories. While these defense mechanisms may come into play in certain situations, they do not accurately explain Antonio's behavior in this specific scenario.

Antonio Claims His Classmates Are All Bullies Who Like to Hurt