Medical Emergencies · single question
A 54-year-old female with severe dental anxiety presents and appears to be holding anger and hostility from a previous traumatic dental experience where she was restrained as a child. This emotional response is an example of which of the following?
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Correct answer: B. Transference
TRANSFERENCE is a psychological phenomenon where a patient unconsciously redirects feelings, emotions, or reactions from a past relationship or experience onto the current dentist or situation. In this case, the patient's anger and hostility toward the dentist (who is not the person who restrained her) are being transferred from the past traumatic dental experience. This is a classic example of transference.
- A. INCORRECT. Projection involves attributing one's OWN unacceptable feelings to someone else (e.g., 'You're angry, not me!'). The patient is not projecting — she is experiencing transferred emotions from a past experience.
- B. CORRECT. TRANSFERENCE is the redirection of feelings and emotions from a past relationship/experience onto a current person or situation. The patient is experiencing anger and hostility stemming from her childhood dental trauma and transferring those feelings onto the current dental encounter.
- C. INCORRECT. 'Self-defense' is not a recognized psychological term in this context (defense mechanisms exist, but self-defense is not one).
- D. INCORRECT. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a valid consideration but refers to the broader syndrome of hyperarousal, avoidance, intrusive memories, and negative cognitions — not specifically the mechanism of redirected emotion being described here.
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