Denise and Teresa are two students in a course on organizational behavior.Denise outperforms Teresa on the first exam in OB, and Teresa convinces herself that Denise is not really a good person to compare herself to because Denise is a psychology major and Teresa is majoring in accounting.Which of the following is the best explanation for Teresa's reaction?
A)Teresa's high self-esteem is protecting her from this unfavorable comparison.
B)Teresa is a low self-monitor.
C)Teresa has an external locus of control.
D)Teresa probably has an inflated generalized belief of her capabilities.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Teresa's reaction is a defense mechanism to protect her self-esteem. By attributing Denise's success to her major rather than her own abilities, Teresa is avoiding a direct comparison that might lower her self-esteem. This is a common psychological response to protect one's self-image when faced with unfavorable comparisons.

Denise and Teresa Are Two Students in a Course on Organizational