A client who has incorporated his father's values into his thought patterns is a product of which defense mechanism?

• A. Identification
• B. Introjection
• C. Projection
• D. Denial

Answer: (B)

Introjection is the process of internalizing someone else’s beliefs, values, or standards so they become part of your own thinking. When a client takes his father’s values and makes them part of his own thought patterns, those external standards have been absorbed into his internal world. This helps manage inner conflict and anxiety by making his self-concept align with a trusted figure’s values. It’s different from identification, which is more about modeling behavior to resemble someone, rather than fully internalizing their beliefs; projection, which attributes own unacceptable thoughts to others; and denial, which involves refusing to accept reality. So the scenario reflects introjection.