LMSW Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The defense mechanism described in the question is best identified as projection. In this context, a person who appears passive and compliant may harbor aggressive and hateful feelings that they are not consciously aware of. Instead of acknowledging these feelings, they might project them onto others, attributing aggression or hostility to people around them. This allows the individual to avoid confronting their own emotions while still expressing those feelings indirectly.

Projection serves as a psychological shield, protecting the individual from the discomfort of self-awareness regarding their aggressive impulses. Through this mechanism, a person can rationalize their behavior by believing others are the ones exhibiting these negative feelings, thereby maintaining a self-image of being non-confrontational or agreeable. This understanding of projection provides insight into how underlying emotions can influence behavior and interpersonal relationships, despite the person’s outward passivity.