A teenager who regularly engages in masturbation, but feels very guilty about it, touches a religious icon exactly ten times after each act of masturbation. Which coping mechanism would Freud suggest is being used in this example?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Undoing is a defense mechanism where an individual tries to counteract or undo an unacceptable thought or behavior with a symbolic gesture. In this case, touching the religious icon exactly ten times after masturbation is a symbolic gesture to undo the guilt associated with the act. Freud believed that undoing is often seen in individuals who have obsessional traits or tendencies.

A Teenager Who Regularly Engages in Masturbation, but Feels Very