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Correct Answer: denial
denial is a psychological defense mechanism where a person refuses to accept reality or facts. it involves blocking external events from awareness. if some situation is too much to handle, the person just refuses to experience it. in the given scenario, the female resident is likely using denial as her defense mechanism. despite having a loud argument with the male resident the previous day, she tells him that she is not angry with him. this indicates that she is denying her feelings of anger or frustration that were evident during their argument.
by denying these feelings, she may be attempting to maintain a sense of harmony or avoid further conflict. denial can serve as a protective measure that shields individuals from emotional pain or stress, which might be overwhelming if fully acknowledged. in psychological terms, denial is often seen as one of the more primitive defense mechanisms because it is characteristic of early childhood development. adults who use denial might be unconsciously choosing to ignore emotional conflicts or troubling aspects of reality as a way to cope with emotional distress.
it’s important to note that while denial can provide temporary relief or a psychological escape from unpleasant feelings, it often prevents resolution and emotional growth. by not acknowledging the truth, the person may be impeding their ability to deal with the underlying issues. if the use of denial continues over a long period, it might lead to more significant relationship problems or emotional disturbances, as the real issues are never addressed.
in summary, the female resident’s behavior of smiling and denying any feelings of anger, despite the evidence of a previous argument, is indicative of the defense mechanism of denial. this mechanism is helping her to cope with the situation by blocking out the acknowledgment of her anger, thereby protecting herself from emotional discomfort at the moment.
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