Final answer:
The young woman is using defensive compensation by altering her career path due to anticipated prejudice in engineering, choosing to major in psychology instead.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario described, the young woman who decides against majoring in engineering due to anticipated prejudice and instead chooses psychology is using defensive compensation. Defensive compensation is a coping strategy wherein an individual modifies their goals in the face of adversity or discrimination, often choosing a path of lesser resistance or one that is perceived as more welcoming.
It illustrates how the anticipation of bias can alter career paths, which is a substantial issue in fields with gender disparities. The young woman's decision is an example of how personal aspirations can be adjusted in response to societal pressures and perceived barriers, thereby highlighting a form of psychological coping mechanism.
The person in this scenario has used defensive compensation to cope with prejudice. Defensive compensation is a defense mechanism in which someone avoids pursuing a desired goal or career due to perceived prejudice or discrimination they may face. In this case, the young woman decides not to major in engineering because she anticipates prejudice from her male counterparts and instead chooses to major in psychology.