Question

Your 5-year-old brother is the baby of the family. When your mother gives birth to another child, your brother begins to soil his underwear, and your mother is forced to put him back in diapers. Which of the following defense mechanisms is he using? (1 point) Responses reaction formation reaction formation rationalization rationalization regression regression repression

Answer 1

The behavior described in the scenario, where your 5-year-old brother begins to soil his underwear and is put back in diapers after the birth of a new sibling, is an example of **regression**. Regression is a defense mechanism where an individual reverts to earlier stages of development when faced with stress or anxiety, in this case, the stress of a new sibling.