When her sister was born, 4-year-old Gracie began sucking her thumb again and wanting her mother to rock her. The defense mechanism exemplified here is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Regression is a defense mechanism where an individual reverts to an earlier stage of development in response to stress or anxiety. Here, Gracie is exhibiting this behavior by sucking her thumb again and wanting her mother to provide the same level of comfort she received when she was younger.

When Her Sister Was Born, 4-Year-Old Gracie Began Sucking Her