[Sabio]

The husband and his wife are often asked in USMLE to illustrate and exemplify certain mental defense mechanisms.

Here are some examples:

1. Husband attracted to another woman goes back and make love to his wife.
2. Husband attracted to another woman goes back and offer flowers to his wife.
3. Husband attracted to his student then he becomes her mentor.
4. Husband having affair with another woman justifies to himself by saying this will make me appreciate my wife more.
5. Husband attracted to another woman then he thinks that his wife is cheating on him.
6. Husband attracted to another woman and explains to his friend that how sexual desires are instinctual and cannot be controlled.
7. Husband attracted to another woman then goes and write about how bad cheating husbands are in the newspaper.
8. Husband fought with his wife then went fighting at a football game.
9. Husband told of grave diagnosis and tells his wife "Honey, I need your help without you I cannot fight".

Here's the answer key

1. Displacement
2. Undoing
3. Sublimation
4. Rationalization
5. Projection
6. Intellectualization
7. Reaction formation
8. Displacement
9. Regression

 

[khanar]

This is an amazing thread
Thank you very much

 

[sak2114]

This is great! I think number 2 could be displacement, although undoing is a better answer.

 

[khanar]

This is great! I think number 2 could be displacement, although undoing is a better answer.

displacement cannot be
because his internal desire is to make love to the girl not to offer her flowers.

 

[sak2114]

I have to think like a guy...

 

[fauzan]

very good thread.....


lolzzzz on sak2114

 

[DrSeddik]

Wow.. this is very helpful.. also strengthens your fear of committment and marriage, and I agree 2 can't be solved by a female lool

Though I can't figure out the difference between reaction formation and undoing NO. 2 and 7.. could anybody explain??

 

[Sabio]

Though I can't figure out the difference between reaction formation and undoing NO. 2 and 7.. could anybody explain??

Reaction formation is the extreme opposite of the real wish and desire.
No. 2 is not the extreme opposite it's somewhat in the same direction, offering flowers is similarly expressing love and affection.

 

[ath.pantelis]

I have to say that according to this (outstanding, nonetheless) thread, usmle assumes that only husbands are to blame and wives are pure angels... )

 

[Shade Grown]

Food for thought

would any of the answers change if wife was a cheat and doing everything in reverse except perhaps fighting in a football game?

 

[sunny]

Thats really gr8.. Thanks fr the post !!!

 

[soneem]

Great....Very very helpful!!!!