USMLE PRACTICE QUESTION #99
TOPIC: Ego Defense Mechanisms.
Today’s question will test your understanding of ego defense mechanisms.
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A 28-year-old woman recently received a rejection letter from a prestigious graduate program. Instead of feeling disappointed or upset, she decides that she never really wanted to attend the program and that better opportunities are available. Which of the following ego defense mechanisms best describes this woman's behavior?
A) Rationalization
B) Repression
C) Denial
D) Displacement
E) Reaction formation
F) Sublimation
G) Projection
Detailed Breakdown of Answers + Correct Answer Below ⏬
ANSWER + QUESTION BREAKDOWN
The MENTAL MODEL used to answer this question comes from our detailed test-taking skills masterclass (check it out if you want to elevate your skills). Here’s how to think through this question:
Step 1. Read the last line to get to the heart of the question: “Which of the following ego defense mechanisms best describes this woman's behavior?”
Step 2: Is this a first-, second-, or third-order question?
Answer: 1st order. 1st: Identify the defense mechanism
Step 3: Read the vignette carefully and ask yourself: “Based on the patient’s response, which defense mechanism is being used?”
Step 4. Look at the answer choices and select the option most closely resembling your final thought from “Step 3” above.
GENERAL ANALYSIS
This vignette describes a 28-year-old woman who, after receiving a rejection letter from a prestigious graduate program, decides that she never really wanted to attend the program and believes that better opportunities are available. Instead of feeling disappointed, she rationalizes the situation by downplaying her initial desire to attend. The question asks which ego defense mechanism best explains her behavior.
ANSWER CHOICES:
CHOICE A: Rationalization
Explanation: Rationalization is a defense mechanism where an individual creates logical but often false explanations for behaviors or outcomes that are difficult to accept emotionally. It allows the person to justify their actions or feelings in a way that protects their self-esteem.
CHOICE B: Repression
Explanation: Repression involves unconsciously blocking disturbing or threatening thoughts, feelings, or memories from awareness. The woman is not unconsciously suppressing her feelings about the rejection.
CHOICE C: Denial
Explanation: Denial involves refusing to accept reality or facts, often by ignoring or rejecting them outright. The woman does not deny the rejection; she acknowledges it but justifies it in a way that protects her self-esteem.
CHOICE D: Displacement
Explanation: Displacement involves redirecting emotions from a threatening target to a less threatening one. The woman is not redirecting her emotions onto another object or person. Instead, she is creating a justification for her rejection.
CHOICE E: Reaction formation
Explanation: Reaction formation occurs when an individual behaves in a way opposite to their true feelings. The woman is not behaving in a way that contradicts her true feelings.
CHOICE F: Sublimation
Explanation: Sublimation involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities. There is no evidence in this scenario that the woman is redirecting her emotions into productive or socially acceptable activities.
CHOICE G: Projection
Explanation: Projection occurs when individuals attribute their unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else. In this case, the woman is not projecting her feelings onto another person.
FINAL VERDICT…
The woman’s behavior exemplifies rationalization, where she creates a seemingly logical explanation for why being rejected from the graduate program doesn’t matter—she convinces herself that she never really wanted to attend and that there are better opportunities elsewhere. This defense mechanism helps her avoid negative emotions like disappointment and protects her self-esteem by reframing the situation more positively. Rationalization allows individuals to justify outcomes that might otherwise cause emotional distress by providing alternative explanations that seem reasonable but may not reflect their true underlying feelings
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Rationalization
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That’s it for question 99!
See ya tomorrow 👋