Apply the four defense mechanisms to experiences you have had in your life. How did they help you avoid feelings of cognitive dissonance?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary but must reflect an understanding of the following four defense mechanisms:
1. Selective exposure: During each presidential election campaign, I limit my exposure to the negativity that is rampant, especially when it's against the candidate that I support. I don't like to think that I can't trust my candidate, and frankly, I find the negativity demoralizing.
2. Selective attention: I have always had problems with my weight, so when I got particularly heavy I avoided full-length mirrors. That way, I could pay attention to my face and hair and ignore the reality of my growing body.
3. Selective perception: After four years in a relationship, my boyfriend was seeing someone else behind my back—and I was the only person who couldn't see the signs. I denied over and again—to myself and to others—that I had any reason to distrust him. Imagine my surprise when he admitted his duplicity.
4. Selective retention: I see this often after someone has died; we retain the best memories of the person and tend to forget his/her faults. Even my own parents have gotten more saintly to me since they've been deceased. It makes it so much easier to cope with them being gone.