FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Human Behavior and Effective CommunicationMedium
A student who consistently performs poorly on landings devotes extra hours to mastering aircraft systems and becomes the top scorer on every written exam in his class, in part to offset his landing struggles. This behavior is best described as:
- ARationalization
- BCompensation
- CSublimation
- DRegression
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Compensation
Compensation is covering a real or perceived weakness by putting extra effort into excelling in another area, which is exactly what this student is doing with systems knowledge to offset weak landings.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Rationalization would involve excusing the poor landings with false logic, not excelling elsewhere.
- C. Sublimation channels unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activity, a different concept.
- D. Regression involves reverting to earlier, less mature behavior, not excelling academically.
Compensation (Defense Mechanism)
Covering a real or perceived weakness by emphasizing a strength in another area.
- Can be positive if it builds genuine confidence
- Does not fix the original weak area directly
- Instructors should still address the underlying skill deficit
Memory trick: 'Weak wheels, strong wings — compensation balances the scale elsewhere.'