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Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) Practice Exam

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Which defense mechanism is often observed in clients with depression, defined as adopting others' attitudes or beliefs as one's own?
Correct Answer:
Introjection
Explanation:
Introjection is a defense mechanism in which a person internalizes the attitudes, values, or beliefs of others and treats them as their own. In depression, this can show up as absorbing the critical voices or strict standards of important figures, turning external judgments into self-criticism and a diminished sense of self. By taking these external messages inside, the individual aligns their beliefs with others, which can reinforce negative self-perception. This fits the description of adopting others’ beliefs as one’s own. Denial involves refusing to accept reality; projection attributes one's own unacceptable feelings to others; and reaction formation converts impulses into their opposite.

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