Leo frequently brings up the topic of academic dishonesty, saying how terrible it is that everybody cheats on exams and plagiarizes papers.In reality, Leo is the real cheater.Freud might suggest Leo is dealing with the anxiety his cheating produces by using the defense mechanism of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Projection is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their undesirable or unacceptable thoughts, behaviors or feelings onto others, thereby maintaining their own self-image. In this case, Leo may be projecting his own cheating behavior onto others by frequently criticizing academic dishonesty. He may be avoiding the guilt and anxiety he feels as a cheater by shifting the focus onto others.

Leo Frequently Brings Up the Topic of Academic Dishonesty, Saying