Defense Mechanisms

Question 1

John gets into an argument with his boss and, instead of expressing his anger at work, he goes home and yells at his children. Which defense mechanism is John using?

A) Projection
B) Sublimation
C) Displacement
D) Reaction Formation

Answer 1

C) Displacement

Question 2

Emily is feeling insecure about her work performance but continually accuses her co-workers of being incompetent. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

A) Projection
B) Repression
C) Rationalization
D) Denial

Answer 2

A) Projection

Question 3

A college student fails an important exam and responds by throwing away all their textbooks and declaring that school doesn’t matter to them anymore. Which defense mechanism does this represent?

A) Rationalization
B) Regression
C) Denial
D) Repression

Answer 3

A) Rationalization

Question 4

Mary has strong feelings of dislike for a co-worker but goes out of her way to be excessively friendly to them. This behavior is an example of:

A) Reaction Formation
B) Sublimation
C) Projection
D) Displacement

Answer 4

A) Reaction Formation

Question 5

A person who experiences the loss of a loved one and continues to act as though the person is still alive, refusing to accept their death, is exhibiting which defense mechanism?

A) Denial
B) Rationalization
C) Regression
D) Projection

Answer 5

A) Denial

Question 6

Despite being consistently late to work, Lisa tells herself it’s because of the unpredictable traffic, even though she knows she leaves late. What defense mechanism is Lisa using?

A) Rationalization
B) Repression
C) Displacement
D) Denial

Answer 6

A) Rationalization

Question 7

After being rejected by a romantic partner, Peter reverts to a childlike state, refusing to get out of bed and demanding attention. Which defense mechanism is he using?

A) Regression
B) Repression
C) Sublimation
D) Projection

Answer 7

A) Regression

Question 8

If a person who is angry with a friend remains unaware of their anger and instead forgets the friend’s birthday, which defense mechanism are they displaying?

A) Repression
B) Displacement
C) Sublimation
D) Denial

Answer 8

A) Repression

Question 9

Mark channels his frustration with his boss into long hours of work at the gym and physical fitness. Which defense mechanism is this?

A) Projection
B) Reaction Formation
C) Sublimation
D) Regression

Answer 9

C) Sublimation

Question 9

A teenager caught cheating on a test claims that everyone cheats and that it’s no big deal. Which defense mechanism is being used here?

A) Denial
B) Rationalization
C) Projection
D) Repression

Answer 9

B) Rationalization

Question 10

After being disciplined at work, Sarah laughs it off and tells her friends that her boss is just jealous of her success. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

A) Rationalization
B) Denial
C) Projection
D) Displacement

Answer 10

A) Rationalization

Question 10

A man who has quit smoking still craves cigarettes but constantly tells others how bad smoking is for their health. Which defense mechanism is he displaying?

A) Sublimation
B) Reaction Formation
C) Projection
D) Denial

Answer 10

B) Reaction Formation

Question 11

After failing to secure a job, Claire repeatedly forgets about the interview and avoids thinking about the experience altogether. What defense mechanism is at play?

A) Repression
B) Regression
C) Rationalization
D) Displacement

Answer 11

A) Repression

Question 11

Despite being overly stressed at work, Tom refuses to acknowledge his anxiety and insists that he is “fine” whenever anyone asks. Which defense mechanism is Tom using?

A) Denial
B) Repression
C) Displacement
D) Rationalization

Answer 11

A) Denial

Question 12

A woman angry at her spouse starts a heated argument about the smallest, unrelated issue. Which defense mechanism is she using to redirect her anger?

A) Sublimation
B) Projection
C) Displacement
D) Regression

Answer 12

C) Displacement

Question 13

A student who struggles academically works extremely hard to excel in sports. This behavior reflects which defense mechanism?

A) Compensation
B) Sublimation
C) Reaction Formation
D) Regression

Answer 13

A) Compensation

Question 14

After witnessing a traumatic event, a person temporarily loses the ability to move their arm, though there is no medical reason for it. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

A) Displacement
B) Conversion
C) Repression
D) Sublimation

Answer 14

B) Conversion

Question 15

A child who has been bullied starts to act like the bully and treat others the same way. This defense mechanism is known as:

A) Identification with the Aggressor
B) Projection
C) Introjection
D) Displacement

Answer 15

A) Identification with the Aggressor

Question 16

A person recalls a traumatic experience without showing any emotions, as though the event were happening to someone else. Which defense mechanism is being used?

A) Repression
B) Dissociation
C) Isolation of Affect
D) Rationalization

Answer 16

C) Isolation of Affect

Question 17

After being criticized, a person adopts their critic’s viewpoint and becomes overly self-critical. Which defense mechanism is this?

A) Projection
B) Introjection
C) Identification with the Aggressor
D) Undoing

Answer 17

B) Introjection

Question 18

A person who feels angry toward a loved one cooks them an elaborate meal in an attempt to “make up for” the bad feelings. This is an example of:

A) Sublimation
B) Undoing
C) Displacement
D) Compensation

Answer 18

B) Undoing

Question 19

A woman who has aggressive tendencies becomes a professional boxer, channeling her impulses in a socially acceptable way. This reflects which defense mechanism?

A) Sublimation
B) Compensation
C) Reaction Formation
D) Conversion

Answer 19

A) Sublimation

Question 20

After experiencing a traumatic accident, a person has no memory of the event but is able to recall everything else in their life. Which defense mechanism are they using?

A) Repression
B) Dissociation
C) Isolation of Affect
D) Conversion

Answer 20

B) Dissociation