Psychodynamics: splitting: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Psychodynamics: splitting

Sample item

A patient praises one nurse as perfect and condemns another as completely evil, changing views abruptly after small disappointments. This defence is:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Splitting

Splitting is the inability to hold both positive and negative qualities of a person together, seen in borderline personality disorder, and is an immature defence. It can cause conflict within the treating team.

Option by option

  • A. Isolation of affect

    Isolation of affect separates feeling from an idea.

  • B. Splitting (correct)

    Correct. Seeing people as all good or all bad is splitting.

  • C. Intellectualisation

    Intellectualisation is excessive abstract reasoning to avoid feeling.

  • D. Undoing

    Undoing is a ritual to symbolically cancel an act.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Splitting. Splitting is the inability to hold both positive and negative qualities of a person together, seen in borderline personality disorder, and is an immature defence.

Why is "Isolation of affect" not the answer?

Isolation of affect separates feeling from an idea.

Why is "Intellectualisation" not the answer?

Intellectualisation is excessive abstract reasoning to avoid feeling.

Why is "Undoing" not the answer?

Undoing is a ritual to symbolically cancel an act.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychodynamics: splitting in Psychiatry. It can cause conflict within the treating team.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Psychodynamics: splitting?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.