A student in your class gets picked on by other students. He says it's okay because that means the other students like him. This is an example of (select all that apply)

Question

- a coping strategy
- a defense mechanism
- a learned emotion
- a primary emotion

Answer 1

This scenario primarily illustrates:

• a defense mechanism: The student is rationalizing the bullying as a form of liking, which is a way to protect himself emotionally from the negative feelings associated with being picked on.

Additionally, it could also be considered:

• a coping strategy: By convincing himself that being picked on is a sign of approval, he is using a mental strategy to cope with the bullying.

It does not really fit the categories of "a learned emotion" or "a primary emotion."

So, the correct answers are:

• a coping strategy
• a defense mechanism