WBR0402
| Author | [[PageAuthor::Rim Halaby, M.D. [1] (Reviewed by Alison Leibowitz)]] |
|---|---|
| Exam Type | ExamType::USMLE Step 1 |
| Main Category | MainCategory::Behavioral Science/Psychiatry |
| Sub Category | SubCategory::General Principles |
| Prompt | [[Prompt::A 32-year-old husband and wife attend therapy. The wife states that her husband is abusing her. When questioned by the counselor, he confirms his wife's accusation and attempts to validate his abusive behavior by claiming that she “deserves it." Upon further questioning, the psychologist learns that as a child, the husband was abused by his father. Which of the following forms of immature defense is the patient exhibiting?]] |
| Answer A | AnswerA::Acting out |
| Answer A Explanation | AnswerAExp::Acting out is the expression of unacceptable feelings through actions. |
| Answer B | AnswerB::Denial |
| Answer B Explanation | AnswerBExp::Denial is the refusal to confront an undesirable aspect of reality. |
| Answer C | AnswerC::Identification |
| Answer C Explanation | AnswerCExp::Secondary identification refers to modeling one's behavior after a figure of authority. |
| Answer D | AnswerD::Projection |
| Answer D Explanation | AnswerDExp::Projection refers to the attribution of an improper personal desire or inclination to an external source. |
| Answer E | AnswerE::Displacement |
| Answer E Explanation | AnswerEExp::Displacement is the transferral of undesirable feelings to a neutral person or object. |
| Right Answer | RightAnswer::C |
| Explanation | [[Explanation::In this scenario the husband is exhibiting a form of immature defense, termed as secondary identification. He models his abusive behavior after his father, whom the patient considers an authority figure. Educational Objective: Secondary identification refers to modeling one's behavior after a figure of authority. |
| Approved | Approved::Yes |
| Keyword | |
| Linked Question | Linked:: |
| Order in Linked Questions | LinkedOrder:: |