Question

Which of the following is an example of the use of a defense mechanism?
A.Quitting one's job to take a better one
B.Yelling at one's spouse after a bad day at work
C.Working extra hard at a job in order to secure a promotion
D.Gossiping about the boss at work
E.Leaving work early in order to go on a job interview

Answer 1

Remember that defense mechanisms, based on my "What is Psychology" text book, are unconscious, emotional strategies that are engaged inn to reduce anxiety and maintain a positive self-image. There are many different types of defense mechanisms too, but there really is only one in your choices that shows an example of defense mechanisms. Remember they are unconscious. Therefore, you probably are letting your frustration out with out realizing what you're actually doing.

Answer 2

Looking at most of the answers, I've limited it down to two I think it could be. For me, it looks like either B or E. I don't exactly think it could be B because as you said, it is to maintain a positive self-image. Would E be the best answer?

Answer 3

Well, the whole "positive self-image" thing was confusing to me when I learned about it, but I actually think it's B. I think it's B because it's actually one of the example my teacher used when she was teaching us defense mechanisms. Another reason I think B is correct is because it is also a type of defense mechanism. It is projection, which is basically when you let out your anger on something else. Here is a list of defense mechanisms: http://www.utahpsych.org/defensemechanisms.htm

Let me know what is correct. I think that the whole "maintaining a positive self-image" thing maybe is not what we think it means. We are probably thinking it means for the person who is frustrated to still look like a respectful/proper person, when in reality, maybe what they mean by that is as long as the person who is frustrated believes that it isn't their fault or that it doesn't exist.

Let me know how you did,
Darry

Answer 4

And thank you for the medal. (^~^)