Ninja Q&A - Defense mechanisms

Question 1

Which defense mechanism is commonly associated with repetitive hand-washing rituals?

Answer 1

Undoing

Question 2

Which defense mechanism involves disavowing one’s own traits or feelings by projecting them onto someone else and causing that person to unconsciously adopt them?

Answer 2

Projective identification

Question 3

A man describes his father killing his puppy without displaying any emotion, despite the therapist’s visible reaction. Which defense mechanism is he using?

Answer 3

Isolation of affect

Question 4

Which defense mechanism involves semi-consciously diverting attention from a conflict to reduce discomfort?

Answer 4

Suppression

Question 5

In psychoanalytic theory, which defense mechanism is linked to feelings of being persecuted?

Answer 5

Projection

Question 6

Which defense mechanism is most often associated with the development of delusional disorders such as paranoia in psychodynamic theory?

Answer 6

Projection

Question 7

After learning her child was injured, a mother calmly arranges for childcare for her other children before heading to the hospital. What defense mechanism is she using?

Answer 7

Suppression

Question 8

What defense mechanism involves temporarily reverting to earlier childhood behaviors in response to stress or conflict?

Answer 8

Regression

Question 9

A wife in therapy works late to check and recheck her work, and her husband recalls her wishing harm on her brother before he died in a hunting accident. Which defense mechanism might explain her excessive checking?

Answer 9

Undoing

Question 10

When a medical student blames his poor performance on the belief that his supervisor dislikes him, which defense mechanism is he using?

Answer 10

Rationalization

Question 11

What defense mechanism helps a jealous child reduce feelings of envy by channeling energy into a different, acceptable activity?

Answer 11

Sublimation

Question 12

Which defense mechanism occurs when someone internalizes or adopts the qualities of another person or object?

Answer 12

Introjection

Question 13

When a patient, who has hostile feelings toward their neighbor, brings that neighbor a bouquet of flowers. What defense mechanism are they using?

Answer 13

Reaction formation

Question 14

After an argument with his wife, a man withdraws and later accidentally falls down a flight of stairs. Which defense mechanism does this behavior represent?

Answer 14

Turning against self

Question 15

According to psychoanalytic theory, which defense mechanism involves channeling unacceptable desires into socially approved activities?

Answer 15

Sublimation

Question 16

If a patient dealing with her mother’s terminal illness uses anticipation as a defense mechanism, what practical step might she take?

Answer 16

Weekly meetings to discuss feelings about diagnosis

Question 17

Which defense mechanism plays a key role in shaping obsessive-compulsive symptoms?

Answer 17

Reaction formation

Question 18

A member of a group therapy session alternates between being the scapegoat and the spokesperson. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

Answer 18

Projective identification

Question 19

After a conflict, a patient says, “I don’t have any negative feelings toward him, but he really hates me.” Which defense mechanism is the patient displaying?

Answer 19

Projection

Question 20

Dissociation falls under which category of defense mechanisms?

Answer 20

Neurotic defenses

Question 21

A patient dismisses his family’s concern for his health by saying, “It’s all just talk.” What defense mechanism is this?

Answer 21

Devaluing

Question 22

A 7-year-old acknowledges his father’s death but asks why his father didn’t attend his birthday. Which defense mechanism is this?

Answer 22

Denial

Question 23

According to Vaillant’s model of lifespan development, which defense mechanism is considered mature?

Answer 23

Humor

Question 24

When confronted about his frequent drinking, a patient denies it affects his life negatively. Which defense mechanism is he using?

Answer 24

Denial

Question 25

When a child feels jealous of an older sibling’s achievements, but reduces these feelings by excelling at something else, which defense mechanism is at play?

Answer 25

Sublimation

Question 26

A couple in therapy alternates between idealizing and devaluing each other, depending on how they feel at the moment. Which defense mechanism does this represent?

Answer 26

Splitting

Question 27

Which defense mechanisms are central to the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms?

Answer 27

Isolation of affect
Undong

Question 28

A sports fan, angry at a spectator for disrupting the game, vents by criticizing them online. What defense mechanism is this?

Answer 28

Displacement

Question 29

A patient with abandonment fears asks the therapist about their future plans, and the therapist begins avoiding appointments. Which defense mechanism is this?

Answer 29

Projective identification

Question 30

When a bookkeeper justifies embezzling money by saying the company is still profitable, which defense mechanism is being used?

Answer 30

Rationalization