Sublimation or Reaction formation???

[Fewa Fibroblast]

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1)A 32-year-old man comes to the physician for a routine examination. He has always had the urge to become a sex worker but he instead works in a non-profit company that hands out contraception to at-risk teens.

Which of the following defense mechanisms is at work?

a.Denial

b.Projection

c.Rationalization

d.Reaction formation

e.Sublimation

 

[WisNeuro]

E

 

[Fewa Fibroblast]

Can you please explain.
Isn't he supressing his urges and doing other things than what he wants thus making it Reaction formation??
Isn't sublimation channeling your urges for benefit of oneself and others??

In the question, it seem like he is suppressing his urges and doing something else.

 

[SterlingMaloryArcher]

Can you please explain.
Isn't he supressing his urges and doing other things than what he wants thus making it Reaction formation??
Isn't sublimation channeling your urges for benefit of oneself and others??

It's reaction formation. (Doing the opposite)

Tricky question though. Sublimation is also doing something else in place of, but not as specific, although is an alternative (better) way to channel the desire/direct it elsewhere but still feel some "release" from doing it. (Which his alternative doesn't do didly)

 

[Fewa Fibroblast]

It's reaction formation. (Doing the opposite)

Tricky question though. Sublimation is also doing something else in place of, but not as specific, although is an alternative (better) way to channel the desire/direct it elsewhere but still feel some "release" from doing it. (Which his alternative doesn't do didly)

I also thought the same thing. But the answer says E and the explanation is:

Sublimation is when someone turns “unacceptable” thoughts, impulses or feelings into socially acceptable ones. For instance, in the question example, the young man takes the excess libidinal energy he is experiencing and, instead of acting on it and doing something unacceptable, he uses the energy to involve himself in more acceptable and productive behavior.
Its quite confusing.

 

[SterlingMaloryArcher]

I also thought the same thing. But the answer says E and the explanation is:

Sublimation is when someone turns “unacceptable” thoughts, impulses or feelings into socially acceptable ones. For instance, in the question example, the young man takes the excess libidinal energy he is experiencing and, instead of acting on it and doing something unacceptable, he uses the energy to involve himself in more acceptable and productive behavior.
Its quite confusing.

I've only taken some undergrad psych courses, not studying for USMLE, but if I can say so, I think that's that's a crock of ****. We all know libidinal energy is isn't really transferable to non-libidinal behavior. It just doesn't work like that (it isn't really going anywhere.) It could however be "sublimated" by masturbating, which isn't a risky behavior (I'm being serious.) Now I'm personally interested (and confused) and would love for someone to point out an error in my logic (really)

 

[SterlingMaloryArcher]

I guess at the end of the day, the lines and labels in psych are somewhat arbitrary