Association of Social Work Boards Masters (ASWB MSW) Practice Exam

Acting Out is a defense mechanism where a person unconsciously expresses emotions through physical or verbal actions. This differs from Dissociation in that dissociation involves a disconnection from one's thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Devaluation is a defense mechanism where a person minimizes the importance of something or someone to avoid potential hurt. Denial is a defense mechanism where a person refuses to acknowledge or accept reality. These options do not involve expressing emotional conflict through action, making them incorrect choices.