Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumCoping Mechanisms

During an outpatient support group for stress management, clients describe their recent reactions to challenging life events. Match each client's statement or behavior with the specific defense mechanism being demonstrated.

  • "I didn't get the job because the interviewer clearly felt threatened by my extensive level of experience."Rationalization
  • A client who feels deeply insecure about their lack of physical coordination spends hours each day studying to become the top academic scholar in their class.Compensation
  • A client who is secretly tempted to cheat on their spouse constantly accuses the spouse of being unfaithful and flirtatious.Projection
  • An adult client admitted to the medical-surgical unit throws a temper tantrum and cries loudly when their preferred lunch is not available.Regression

Answer

The statement blaming the interviewer matches with Rationalization. Excelling academically to mask physical insecurity matches with Compensation. Accusing a spouse of one's own temptations matches with Projection. Throwing a temper tantrum matches with Regression.
Each behavior directly aligns with the classic psychiatric definition of its respective defense mechanism. Rationalization involves excuse-making, Compensation involves balancing a deficit with a strength, Projection involves casting one's own flaws onto others, and Regression involves reverting to immature behaviors.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the first scenario regarding the job interview.
The client is creating a plausible but false excuse (interviewer felt threatened) to avoid the painful reality of rejection, which defines Rationalization.
Identifying the underlying motive for the statement reveals the defense mechanism.
2
Evaluate the behavior of the client focusing on academics.
The client is making up for a perceived weakness by emphasizing a strength, which defines Compensation.
Distinguishing between substitution of goals and making up for deficits clarifies the coping strategy.
3
Examine the client accusing their spouse of infidelity.
The client is placing their own unacceptable feelings (desire to cheat) onto someone else, which is the definition of Projection.
Understanding who holds the original feeling versus who it is attributed to is key to identifying projection.
4
Assess the behavior of the adult throwing a tantrum.
The client is reverting to childish behaviors to cope with the stress of hospitalization, which defines Regression.
Recognizing behaviors that are inappropriate for the client's developmental age points to regression.

Key Concept

Defense Mechanisms in Coping with Stress
Rate this question

Topics

Coping Mechanisms

More questions from this topic