The situation you've described can be interpreted in two ways:
-
A defense mechanism - The student may be using rationalization, a defense mechanism, to cope with being picked on. By convincing himself that the teasing is a sign of affection, he is protecting himself from the emotional pain that bullying typically causes.
-
A coping strategy - The student is also employing a coping strategy to deal with the negative experience of being teased. By framing the situation positively, he is attempting to manage his feelings about it.
Therefore, the correct selections are:
- a defense mechanism
- a coping strategy