A Psychoanalyst Predicts from Psychoanalytic Theory That an Insecure Student

question 18

Multiple Choice

A psychoanalyst predicts from psychoanalytic theory that an insecure student is likely to join a fraternity as a way to strengthen his ego, demonstrating Freud's defense mechanism of identification by wanting to be part of a group. If the student never joins the fraternity because he wants time to study, the psychoanalyst could explain this decision as the defense mechanism of rationalizing instead of identification. Which kind of thinking error has occurred in this situation?

• A) Illusory correlation, in which the psychoanalyst found a pattern in random data that is not there
• B) Mistaking correlation for causation, concluding that the cause of the problem has been found when the variables are only correlated
• C) Failing to make an argument, which occurred because psychoanalysis is pseudoscientific
• D) Explaining away an unpredicted or unwanted outcome to show that psychoanalysis is not falsifiable

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Definitions:

Paid Labour

Work performed for remuneration or salary, typically categorized as employment for which one receives a wage or salary.

Major Changes

involve significant alterations or transformations in a particular aspect of society, environment, or individual life.

Feminist Theory

An interdisciplinary approach to examining and critiquing societal norms and structures that perpetuate gender inequalities.

Imperialism

The policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.