Activity 3.1 Psychological Fitness Part A (25 points) Read each scenario below, and identify which defense mechanism (repression, rationalization, denial, displacement, or regression) it describes. Then write the correct defense mechanism in the space provided. (5 points each) 1. _______________ A famous tennis player misses an easy shot. He throws his racquet to the ground and screams with rage; tears run down his cheeks. 2. _______________ A classmate’s brother just got diagnosed with cancer. You tell your classmate that you’re sorry to hear this news, and you ask how she’s coping with it. “With what?” she asks. 3. _______________ Reggie was expecting to win first-place in the 100-meter back stroke at the swim meet, but instead he didn’t even place. Now Reggie loudly proclaims that swimming is stupid and that he has better things to do than practice for hours every day. 4. _______________ Mr. Reynolds’ boss reprimands him for a costly accounting mistake. When Mr. Reynolds comes home that night, he yells at his kids to clean up their mess in the living room. 5. _______________ Mia asks her grandfather about his experiences as a political prisoner in South America. Her grandfather tells her what he can but admits there are blocks of time he just doesn’t remember. Part B (50 points) Read each description of a psychological stressor below, and explain how you would most likely respond to that situation. Then, look back at the descriptions of the internal and external characteristics of psychological health. For each stressor, describe a psychologically healthy response. In some cases, your likely response will be the same as the most healthy response; other times, it may not be. (5 points per box) Stressor 1. You find out that your best friend has told someone else a very private thing that you had shared only with them. 2. A teacher accuses you of cheating on an exam and begins disciplinary action against you. You know you are innocent. 3. Someone in your family sneaks into your room to play on your computer, spilling a drink on your keyboard and ruining it. 4. You have mononucleosis, and your doctor tells you that competing in the upcoming track meet could be dangerous to your health. Your team is counting on you. 5. A group of kids at school is posting ugly rumors online about a friend of yours. Most Likely Response Most Psychologically Healthy Response Part C (25 points) Look over the chart you filled in for Part B and note how your Most Likely responses differ from the Most Psychologically Healthy responses. These differences, even small ones, are opportunities to improve your psychological health. In a paragraph, describe the steps you could take to improve your response to psychological stressors like the ones in the chart.
