Which defense mechanism is demonstrated by postponing thinking about a stressful issue?

• A. Reaction formation
• B. Splitting
• C. Suppression
• D. Projection

Answer: (C)

Postponing thinking about a stressful issue reflects suppression, a defense mechanism where the person consciously delays or avoids dealing with distressing thoughts or feelings. It’s a voluntary strategy to put the issue aside for now, allowing someone to continue with daily tasks and return to it later when they feel more ready. This differs from repression, which is unconscious and automatic—the person isn’t aware that they’ve pushed the thought out of awareness.

For example, choosing not to dwell on a looming exam and focusing on other activities until a planned time shows suppression in action.

Why the other options don’t fit: reaction formation involves behaving in ways that are the opposite of one’s true feelings (not about delaying thought), splitting is black-and-white thinking about people or situations, and projection is attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to others. Suppression specifically captures the deliberate postponement of thinking about a stressful issue.