Question

Rohan failed an important exam. Instead of accepting that he didn't prepare well, he insists that the teacher was biased and the exam was unfair. Which defence mechanism is Rohan using?

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

Hint:

Think of Rationalization as "making excuses" or "sour grapes" logic to save one's self-esteem after a failure.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In this question, we are asked to identify the defense mechanism used by Rohan when he attributes his exam failure to external factors rather than his lack of preparation. Let's analyze the options:

• Repression: This is a defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously pushes away distressing thoughts and memories from conscious awareness. It does not fit the scenario given, as Rohan is not unconsciously forgetting the failure or the experience.
• Projection: This mechanism involves attributing one's own undesirable feelings or thoughts to others. Rohan is not projecting his feelings onto someone else; rather, he is providing explanations for his own failure.
• Rationalization: This is the correct answer. Rationalization involves explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or logical manner, avoiding the true reasons. Rohan is using rationalization by blaming the failure on perceived bias and unfairness, bypassing his actual lack of preparation.
• Denial: Denial is refusing to accept reality or the facts in order to protect oneself from a painful reality. While Rohan might be refusing to face his inadequacies, the primary action here involves logically explaining away his failure, not outright denying it.

Based on the analysis above, the defense mechanism Rohan is using is Rationalization, which involves justifying his failure by attributing it to external factors like unfairness or bias rather than acknowledging his own shortcomings in preparation.