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avoidance and rejection along with when patient crosses their arms and legs, leans back as if it were to create a distance and may even turn their body is an example of:

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Final answer:

The nonverbal cues of crossing arms, leaning back, and turning the body away are indicative of avoidance behaviors, potentially linked to a resistant attachment style or psychological defense mechanisms like reaction formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The behaviors outlined in the question illustrate nonverbal cues that can be associated with psychological defense mechanisms or attachment styles. When a patient or individual crosses their arms and legs, leans back, and turns their body away, it may denote a type of avoidance or resistance. This can occur in the context of therapy or interpersonal interactions where the individual feels anxious or defensive. In terms of attachment, this could be similar to a resistant attachment style, where a child shows dependency and rejection of a caregiver's attempts to interact.

Moreover, these behaviours can also relate to defense mechanisms. A mechanism such as reaction formation can cause an individual to exhibit behaviors opposite to their true feelings or impulses as a way to cope with anxiety. In this case, turning away or creating physical distance could be a reaction formation to the desire for closeness or intimacy.

User Shane Fitzgibbon
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