An eighth-grade boy is uncomfortable with his feelings for an older girl and interest in her. He teases the girl whenever he gets a chance and makes jokes about her appearance. The school nurse identifies the boy as using which defense mechanism?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1.This is incorrect. Displacement refers to transferring feelings from one target to another.
2.This is incorrect. Projection refers to the attribution of unacceptable feelings or behaviors to another person.
3.This is correct. The boy is using the defense mechanism of reaction formation. Reaction formation is the attempt to prevent undesirable thoughts from being expressed by expressing opposite thoughts or behaviors.
4.This is incorrect. Sublimation refers to channeling unacceptable drives or impulses into more constructive, acceptable activities.

An Eighth-Grade Boy Is Uncomfortable with His Feelings for an Older