Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

Which of the following is NOT considered a defense mechanism according to Freud?

1. Denial

2. Affirmation

3. Projection

4. Rationalization

The correct answer is: Affirmation

The option identified as affirmation is not considered a defense mechanism in Freudian psychology. Sigmund Freud introduced defense mechanisms as unconscious psychological strategies employed to cope with anxiety arising from conflicts between the id, ego, and superego. These mechanisms serve to protect the individual from distressing thoughts and feelings. Denial, projection, and rationalization are all recognized defense mechanisms. Denial involves refusing to accept reality or facts, thereby protecting oneself from uncomfortable emotions. Projection entails attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts onto someone else, thereby allowing individuals to distance themselves from their own unwanted feelings. Rationalization involves providing logical or reasonable explanations for behaviors that may be driven by irrational thoughts and emotions, making one feel better about actions that might otherwise cause guilt or anxiety. Affirmation, on the other hand, generally refers to the process of reinforcing or validating something, often associated with positive thinking or encouraging self-acceptance. It does not fit within the framework of defense mechanisms as proposed by Freud, as it does not function to protect against anxiety in the same unconscious manner as the other mechanisms. Consequently, this distinction highlights why affirmation is not classified as a defense mechanism in Freudian theory.