ASWB LCSW Social Work Clinical Practice Exam

Which defense mechanism involves refusing to accept reality to avoid painful feelings?

1. Denial

2. Projection

3. Rationalization

4. Displacement

The correct answer is: Denial

Denial is a defense mechanism characterized by an individual’s refusal to accept reality or truth, particularly regarding painful thoughts or feelings. It serves as a psychological buffer, enabling a person to distance themselves from distressing emotions by rejecting the existence of these emotions or the facts surrounding them. For instance, someone who has received a serious medical diagnosis may insist that they are perfectly healthy and refuse to acknowledge any symptoms, thus avoiding the emotional pain associated with that reality. This mechanism operates at an unconscious level, helping individuals cope with immediate feelings of fear, anxiety, or grief by not directly confronting the situation. Denial can manifest in various ways, such as avoiding discussions about a problem, failing to seek treatment, or not admitting the severity of an issue even when it is evident. The other options describe different defense mechanisms that do not specifically involve refusing to accept reality. Projection involves attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to others, rationalization offers logical explanations for behaviors instead of acknowledging true motives, and displacement involves redirecting emotions from a threatening object onto a safer one. Each serves a different purpose in managing stress and emotional pain but does not match the specific context of denying reality like denial does.