Which defense mechanism involves the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others?

Which defense mechanism involves the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others?

• A. Introjection
• B. Denial
• C. Projection
• D. Suppression

Answer: (A)

Introjection is the unconscious absorption of others’ beliefs, values, or attitudes and treating them as your own. This happens without awareness, so a person adopts external viewpoints to feel closer to or aligned with those they care about, or to avoid inner conflict. In practice, you might see someone internalize a caregiver’s or peer group’s attitudes about illness or stigma, accepting those messages as if they’re personally held beliefs, even when they don’t consciously choose them. Denial is refusing to accept reality, not a product of taking on someone else’s ideas. Projection is attributing your own unacceptable thoughts to someone else. Suppression is a conscious, deliberate withholding of thoughts. Introjection stands out because the adoption of external attitudes happens unconsciously and becomes part of the person’s own belief system.

Introjection is the unconscious absorption of others’ beliefs, values, or attitudes and treating them as your own. This happens without awareness, so a person adopts external viewpoints to feel closer to or aligned with those they care about, or to avoid inner conflict. In practice, you might see someone internalize a caregiver’s or peer group’s attitudes about illness or stigma, accepting those messages as if they’re personally held beliefs, even when they don’t consciously choose them.

Denial is refusing to accept reality, not a product of taking on someone else’s ideas. Projection is attributing your own unacceptable thoughts to someone else. Suppression is a conscious, deliberate withholding of thoughts. Introjection stands out because the adoption of external attitudes happens unconsciously and becomes part of the person’s own belief system.