A 44-year-old man is managing his fear of heights by becoming an enthusiastic rock climber and mountain guide, turning the phobia into a strength. This is an example of which mature defence mechanism?
- A Sublimation ✓
- B Suppression
- C Altruism
- D Humour
Correct answer: A. Sublimation
Explanation
Sublimation is a mature (level IV, adaptive) defence mechanism in which socially unacceptable impulses or threatening feelings are transformed and channelled into socially acceptable, productive activities. Here, the anxiety about heights is redirected into rock-climbing mastery. Suppression is the conscious decision to postpone attending to a conflict. Altruism involves vicarious satisfaction through helping others. Humour uses comedy to reduce distress without suppressing affect.
Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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