Defence mechanisms: 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 · Defence mechanisms

Sample item

A man harbours intense, unacceptable hostile feelings toward his elderly mother but behaves in an excessively caring and indulgent way toward her. Which defence mechanism is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Reaction formation

In reaction formation, an unacceptable impulse is replaced in conscious behaviour by its exact opposite. Hostility becomes exaggerated kindness. It is considered a neurotic-level defence.

Option by option

  • A. Reaction formation (correct)

    Correct. The behaviour is the opposite of the repressed feeling.

  • B. Displacement

    Displacement shifts the emotion toward a safer substitute target, not its opposite.

  • C. Projection

    Projection attributes one's own unacceptable feelings to another person.

  • D. Rationalisation

    Rationalisation supplies logical-sounding reasons for a behaviour and does not reverse the feeling.

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 A, Reaction formation. In reaction formation, an unacceptable impulse is replaced in conscious behaviour by its exact opposite.

Why is "Displacement" not the answer?

Displacement shifts the emotion toward a safer substitute target, not its opposite.

Why is "Projection" not the answer?

Projection attributes one's own unacceptable feelings to another person.

Why is "Rationalisation" not the answer?

Rationalisation supplies logical-sounding reasons for a behaviour and does not reverse the feeling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Defence mechanisms in Psychiatry. Hostility becomes exaggerated kindness. It is considered a neurotic-level defence.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Defence mechanisms?

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.