A man has cheated on his partner and he feels very guilty, but soon he begins to make excuses, saying that his partner has nagged him for years. The defense mechanism that BEST explains his behavior is:
A) rationalization.
B) denial.
C) regression.
D) projection.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationalization is a defense mechanism where an individual justifies or rationalizes their behaviors or feelings in a seemingly logical or rational manner to avoid the true explanation. In this scenario, the man is rationalizing his cheating by blaming his partner's behavior, thus avoiding responsibility for his actions.

A Man Has Cheated on His Partner and He Feels