Which defense mechanism is John using when he says “It’s ok if I tell my parents that I am going to Lisa’s house even when I’m really going to ride around with Pete because they won’t mind.”

Answer 1

John is using rationalization as a defense mechanism when he justifies telling his parents that he is going to Lisa's house, even though he is really going somewhere else. Rationalization involves providing logical or reasonable explanations for behaviors that are actually motivated by irrational or emotional factors. In this case, John is convincing himself that his parents wouldn't mind, which allows him to feel better about his decision to deceive them.