Ego Defenses--Mature

Question 1

Guilty feelings alleviated by unsolicited generosity toward others (mafia boss makes a large donation to charity)?

Answer 1

Altruism

Question 2

Appreciating the amusing nature of an anxiety-provoking or adverse situation (nervous med student jokes about boards)?

Answer 2

Humor

Question 3

Process whereby one replaces an unacceptable wish with a course of action that is similar to the wish but does not conflict with one’s value system?

Answer 3

Sublimation (vs. reaction formation)–teenager’s aggression toward his father is redirected to perform well in sports

Question 4

Voluntary withholding of an idea or feeling from conscious awareness?

Answer 4

Suppression (vs. repression)–choosing not to think about the USMLE until the week of the exam