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

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Conquer your ASWB Masters exam with our comprehensive practice test. Tailored feedback, real-world scenarios, and expert insights await to ensure your success.

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Defense mechanisms are primarily used to protect people from what?

Physical harm
Anxiety
Social interaction
Financial loss

The correct answer is: Anxiety

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies used by an individual's ego to reduce feelings of anxiety or psychological discomfort. Option A, physical harm, is typically addressed through physical coping mechanisms, such as fight or flight responses. Option C, social interaction, is also not directly related to defense mechanisms, as these are used for individual internal processes rather than social interactions. Option D, financial loss, could also cause anxiety but is not the primary purpose of defense mechanisms.