FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Human Behavior and Effective CommunicationHard
A student pilot experienced a frightening in-flight emergency several years ago and now has no conscious memory of the event at all, though he becomes unexplainably anxious whenever near the type of aircraft involved. This is best described as which defense mechanism, distinct from a deliberate decision to avoid thinking about an unpleasant memory?
- ADenial
- BRepression
- CRationalization
- DSuppression
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Repression
Repression is the unconscious, involuntary exclusion of painful or threatening thoughts and memories from conscious awareness. Unlike suppression, which is a conscious effort to set aside a thought, the student has no conscious control over or awareness of the forgotten memory.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Denial involves refusing to accept a fact that is still consciously known, not total amnesia of the event.
- C. Rationalization involves making excuses for behavior, not memory loss.
- D. Suppression is a conscious, deliberate choice to avoid thinking about something, which contradicts the total lack of memory described.
Repression vs. Suppression
Repression is the unconscious exclusion of a painful memory or feeling from awareness, whereas suppression is the conscious, deliberate effort to avoid thinking about it.
- Repression happens without the person's awareness or control
- Suppression is intentional and conscious
- Repressed memories can still influence behavior and emotion indirectly
Memory trick: Real Dogs Chase Postmen Rapidly (Repression, Denial, Compensation, Projection, Rationalization, Reaction formation)