Question

When Alexandra gets in a fight with her partner, she stomps her feet, covers her ears, and refuses to listen. Alexandra's behavior best illustrates the defense mechanism called _______ . a. regression b. repression c. reaction formation d. displacement

Short answer

Regression

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that are unconsciously used to protect a person from anxiety arising from unacceptable thoughts or feelings. In this exercise, we are required to identify the specific defense mechanism demonstrated by Alexandra's behavior.

Analyzing Alexandra's Behavior

The key behaviors exhibited by Alexandra are stomping her feet, covering her ears, and refusing to listen. These actions are indicative of childlike or immature behaviors that one would expect from a young child rather than an adult.

Matching Behavior to Mechanism

Regression is a defense mechanism that involves reverting to childlike behaviors in response to stress or conflict. The description of Alexandra's actions fits well with regression, as she is acting in a juvenile manner during a stressful situation.

Review Other Options

To ensure regression is indeed the correct answer, it's important to briefly examine other options: - Repression involves unconsciously forgetting painful events, which does not match Alexandra's reactions. - Reaction formation involves behaving in a way that's opposite to what one truly feels, which doesn't align with her actions. - Displacement involves transferring emotions to a substitute target, which is not the case here.

Conclusion

Given that Alexandra's behavior resembles actions typically associated with a return to childhood forms of coping, the defense mechanism that best describes her actions is regression.

Key concepts

Regression

Regression is a fascinating psychological defense mechanism where an individual reverts to behaviors typical of an earlier stage of development. Imagine adults throwing tantrums like children when stressed. It's not simply immaturity but a subconscious coping method.
When stressed or in conflict, people might demonstrate:

• Stomping feet or throwing tantrums
• Using baby talk, even if they haven't talked like that in years
• Desiring comfort items from childhood, like a stuffed animal or blanket

In the case of Alexandra, her actions of stomping feet, covering her ears, and refusing to listen mimic a child's response when something is overwhelming. This behavior falls squarely within the concept of regression because it highlights a return to a simpler, less demanding phase, hoping to avoid the current stress.
Regression doesn't solve the problem directly. Yet, it can temporarily reduce anxiety by escaping complex adult responsibilities for a moment of childlike simplicity.

Psychology Education

Psychology education plays a crucial role in helping us understand intricate human behaviors and mental processes, as seen in several psychological mechanisms like regression.
Why learn about psychology?

• It offers insights into mental processes that drive behavior
• Helps identify and manage emotional responses
• Enables the development of better interpersonal relationships

Understanding such mechanisms is part of both academic and practical psychological education. By learning about concepts like defense mechanisms, students are equipped to:

• Recognize patterns in themselves and others
• Approach conflicts with better empathy and understanding
• Devise strategies to cope with internal and external pressures

The knowledge from psychology education isn't limited to professionals. It is valuable for anyone seeking to improve their life's experiences by handling stress and emotions better.

Coping Strategies

Coping strategies are various methods a person might use to deal with stressful situations or emotions. They can be conscious like deciding to relax with yoga or unconscious as seen with defense mechanisms such as regression.
Effective coping strategies often split into two main categories:

• Problem-focused: Tackling the issue directly, like making a plan to solve a problem
• Emotion-focused: Managing emotional responses, such as speaking with a friend or meditating

Defense mechanisms typically fall under emotion-focused coping as they unconsciously reduce emotional distress without addressing the problem directly. While regression might provide temporary relief, learning adaptive strategies is beneficial.
Examples of adaptive strategies include:

• Practicing mindfulness to stay present and reduce stress naturally
• Developing a set of hobbies that divert attention and foster relaxation
• Building a support network for sharing and discussing problems

Developing strong coping strategies can lead to better stress management, emotional health, and overall well-being.