Defense Mechanisms Matching Explained

This question requires matching psychological defense mechanisms from LIST-I with their corresponding descriptions from LIST-II. Understanding these defense mechanisms is key to grasping psychological concepts.

Repression: Mechanism and Match

Repression is an unconscious defense mechanism. It involves pushing unwanted or disturbing thoughts, memories, or desires out of conscious awareness because they are too painful or anxiety-provoking.

The definition that best describes Repression is:

• II. Excluding from conscious awareness impulses or memories that are too frightening or painful.

Therefore, Repression (A) correctly matches with Definition II.

Rationalization: Mechanism and Match

Rationalization is a defense mechanism where individuals create logical, plausible, or socially acceptable explanations for behavior or feelings that might otherwise be unacceptable. It's a way to justify actions or outcomes.

The definition that fits Rationalization is:

• I. Assigning logical or socially desirable motives to what we do so that we seem to have acted rationally.

This means Rationalization (B) matches with Definition I.

Reaction Formation: Mechanism and Match

Reaction Formation is a defense mechanism where a person unconsciously adopts beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors that are the opposite of their true, unacceptable feelings. This helps keep the underlying impulse hidden.

The definition that explains Reaction Formation is:

• IV. Concealing a motive from ourselves by giving strong expression to the opposite motive.

Thus, Reaction Formation (C) matches with Definition IV.

Projection: Mechanism and Match

Projection is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives onto another person. It's like seeing your own faults mirrored in others.

The definition that accurately describes Projection is:

• III. Assigning our own undesirable qualities to others in exaggerated amounts.

This indicates that Projection (D) matches with Definition III.

Defense Mechanism Matching Solution

By matching each mechanism with its definition, we find the following correct pairings:

• A. Repression with II. Excluding from conscious awareness...
• B. Rationalization with I. Assigning logical or socially desirable motives...
• C. Reaction Formation with IV. Concealing a motive from ourselves...
• D. Projection with III. Assigning our own undesirable qualities...

The sequence representing the correct matches is A II, B I, C IV, D III.