MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 203: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 203

1. A victim of suspected assault is unable to remember the attack. Follow-up tests demonstrate that the victim has no conscious memory of being attacked, and cannot remember anything about the day leading up to the attack. According to Freud, which of the following ego defense mechanisms is the victim most likely employing?

  • A. Rationalization
  • B. Regression
  • C. Repression
  • D. Denial

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Repression is employed to keep painful thoughts out of conscious awareness; because the victim is unable to recall the attack and has no conscious memory of the of the attack, the victim is most likely repressing their memories (choice C is correct). Rationalization is an ego defense mechanism whereby unacceptable behaviors or feelings are explained in a rational or logical manner; there is no evidence in the question stem that the victim is rationalizing (choice A is wrong). Regression involves the use of coping mechanisms that are characteristic of an earlier point in psychological development, such as reverting to bedwetting after a traumatic experience; there is not enough information in the question stem to assume that the victim is employing regression (choice B is wrong). Denial is the act of voluntarily withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness. This is, perhaps, most easily confused with repression which involves involuntarily withholding an idea or feeling from conscious awareness; because the question stem states that follow up tests demonstrate "no conscious memory," the victim is probably not employing denial (choice D is wrong).

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