Question

A child fails in the examination and gives lame excuses for his failure. He blames the teacher and tries to disguise his own weakness and deficiency.

1. Which defense mechanism is used by the child in the above case?
2. What is meant by the term defense mechanism?

Answer 1

1. Rationalisation
2. Defense mechanisms are unconscious coping strategies used by people to deal with anxiety, stress, and internal conflicts. These mechanisms safeguard the ego by destroying reality and preventing conscious awareness of threatening thoughts and feelings.