Clinical Practice SWES Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes Mrs. Taylor's major defense mechanisms?

1. Reaction-formation and denial.

2. Denial and intellectualization.

3. Obsessions and compulsions.

4. Compensation and displacement.

The correct answer is: Denial and intellectualization.

The choice of denial and intellectualization as Mrs. Taylor's major defense mechanisms is insightful as both mechanisms are commonly utilized in coping with stress and protecting oneself from anxiety or uncomfortable emotions. Denial involves refusing to accept reality or facts, effectively blocking external events from awareness. This can protect an individual from having to confront painful truths or engaging with distressing situations directly. Intellectualization, on the other hand, involves focusing on the intellectual aspects of a situation rather than the emotional components. This allows a person to distance themselves from the emotional weight of a situation and analyze it from a rational standpoint. For example, someone dealing with a stressful diagnosis might study research studies about their condition instead of confronting their feelings of fear or sadness. These two mechanisms often work together; while denial may protect a person from emotional pain, intellectualization allows for a level of understanding that can foster coping strategies without emotionally engaging with the distressing reality. Together, they provide a means for individuals like Mrs. Taylor to navigate through challenging situations while keeping uncomfortable emotions at bay. The other options present different mechanisms. Reaction-formation involves acting in ways opposite to one's true feelings, while obsessions and compulsions relate to anxiety disorders rather than defense mechanisms. Compensation involves counterbalancing perceived deficiencies,