Psych Ch 13 Questions

A student who seldom comes to class and seldom reads the book says, “No one else takes this class seriously either.” This is an example of which defense mechanism?

• rationalization

• projection

• displacement

• reaction formation

Answer explanation

The student is using the defense mechanism of projection by assuming that others also do not take the class seriously.

According to Freud, a boy who develops a sexual interest in his mother and competitive aggression toward his father is experiencing

• an Oedipus complex.

• an Othello complex.

• an Electra complex.

• Catharsis.

Answer explanation

According to Freud, a boy experiencing an Oedipus complex develops a sexual interest in his mother and competitive aggression toward his father.

In Freud’s theory, the id is the part of personality that

• resembles conscience.

• makes rational decisions.

• includes biological drives.

• includes between the conscious and the unconscious.

Answer explanation

The id in Freud's theory refers to the part of personality that includes biological drives.

In Freud’s theory, the superego is the part of personality that

• includes the drives for biological gratification.

• suppresses the desires of the ego in order to make logical decisions.

• includes dos and don’ts handed down from one’s parents.

• strives for superiority.

Answer explanation

The superego in Freud's theory includes dos and don'ts handed down from one's parents, making it the correct choice.

A woman who has just been told that her husband is having an affair with another woman says, “I don’t believe it!” This is an example of which defense mechanism?

• denial.

• displacement

• projection

• reaction formation

Answer explanation

The woman's response of 'I don't believe it!' demonstrates the defense mechanism of denial, as she is refusing to accept the reality of her husband's affair.

Someone with unacceptable sexual impulses expresses them symbolically through artworks. According to Freud, this is an example of

• reaction formation.

• sublimation.

• repression.

• Rationalization

Answer explanation

According to Freud, expressing unacceptable sexual impulses symbolically through artworks is an example of sublimation.

How would Sigmund Freud explain why some person has lasting concerns about dependence and independence?

According to Freud, boys who are fixated in the phallic stage

• become orderly, stingy, and stubborn.

• are likely to become adults who eat and drink too much.

Answer explanation

According to Freud, boys fixated in the phallic stage become orderly, stingy, and stubborn.

A man who is going through a traumatic divorce buys a motorcycle and goes to parties every night. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

• denial

• projection

• regression

• displacement

Answer explanation

The man's behavior of buying a motorcycle and going to parties every night is an example of regression, a defense mechanism where one reverts to an earlier stage of development to cope with stress.

Someone who is frustrated by economic failure expresses hatred toward a minority group. This is an example of which defense mechanism?

• displacement

• repression

• regression

• reaction formation

Answer explanation

Frustration over economic failure leading to hatred towards a minority group is an example of displacement, where emotions are redirected onto a less threatening target.