Question

Bruce has smoked since he was 15 years old. His doctor tells him that he needs to quit for his health. Bruce tells the doctor, "Look, smoking is the only bad thing I do, and besides, I have to die of something." This BEST illustrates the use of an ego defense mechanism known as:

Answer 1

Rationalization.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rationalization is explained here as an ego defense mechanism that people use to make excuses for situations or events in their lives that they do not like. This is seen here as Bruce's case because he is vehemently trying to turn the irrational in his present situation to rational. People use it often when they are angry, depressed, scared or hurt.

The mechanism usually works negatively to make the person feel worse about the situation or event rather than better. Rationalization is a type of cognitive distortion.

In cases like this when people rationalize, they turn irrational things into rational.