National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which defense mechanism is characterized by hiding true reasoning behind a behavior or feeling with self-serving explanations?

1. Rationalization

2. Sublimation

3. Compensation

4. Intellectualization

The correct answer is: Rationalization

Rationalization is a defense mechanism where an individual provides self-serving explanations to justify their feelings or behaviors, often to avoid facing the uncomfortable truths of their actions. This allows a person to feel validated in their choices or feelings, even if they are not based on objective facts. For example, someone may argue that they continue to engage in a harmful behavior because it helps them cope, thereby masking the underlying issues or motives with a seemingly logical justification. This mechanism serves to protect the individual from the anxiety that might arise from acknowledging the real reasons behind their decisions. The other mechanisms mentioned differ significantly in their function: sublimation involves channeling unacceptable impulses into acceptable activities, compensation focuses on counterbalancing deficiencies by emphasizing strengths in other areas, and intellectualization engages in a detached, analytical approach to emotions rather than addressing them directly. Each of these mechanisms serves different psychological needs, but rationalization specifically targets the need to construct a convenient narrative that obscures deeper truths.