Question

Malik does not get along with his female supervisor. His psychotherapist observes that Malik relates to his supervisor the way he does to his youngest sister, who died a couple of months ago. In the context of psychotherapy, what is Malik experiencing?

a) Countertransference
b) Transference
c) Resistance
d) Insight

Answer 1

Malik is experiencing transference, where he is unconsciously projecting his relationship dynamics from his deceased sister onto his female supervisor, affecting their interactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of psychotherapy, what Malik is experiencing is called transference. This occurs when a patient unconsciously redirects or transfers feelings and behaviors experienced in past relationships to a therapist or other figures in their current life. In Malik's case, he is projecting the dynamics of his relationship with his deceased youngest sister onto his female supervisor. This is a common phenomenon where feelings, expectations, and behaviors towards significant people in one's past are 'transferred' to someone in the present. Transference can sometimes interfere with interpersonal relationships, as it may be influencing Malik's ability to get along with his supervisor.