Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

What defense mechanism is a teenager exhibiting when justifying bullying behavior by claiming 'everyone makes fun of that kid'?

1. Sublimation

2. Rationalization

3. Denial

4. Projection

The correct answer is: Rationalization

The teenager in this scenario is displaying rationalization as a defense mechanism. Rationalization involves providing logical or reasonable explanations to justify behaviors or feelings that may be socially unacceptable, ethically questionable, or generally viewed as negative. By saying "everyone makes fun of that kid," the teenager is attempting to excuse their own bullying behavior by suggesting that it is a common practice. This not only reduces the personal guilt associated with their actions but also shifts the focus onto a perceived norm rather than the morality of their behavior. In contrast to other defense mechanisms, sublimation would involve channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities, denial would mean refusing to acknowledge the bullying behavior at all, and projection would involve attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or motives to someone else. Rationalization is specifically about justifying behavior with seemingly reasonable explanations, which is what is occurring in this situation.