Which ego defense mechanism involves denying reality?

• A. Denial
• B. Fixation
• C. Dissociation
• D. Displacement

Answer: (A)

Denial involves refusing to accept external reality or facts that are distressing, acting as a shield against anxiety. By not acknowledging the truth, the person avoids the immediate emotional impact and buys time to cope. This mechanism is often unconscious and can appear as insisting something isn’t happening or isn’t true despite clear evidence, such as denying a serious illness or minimizing a painful event.

Other defenses work differently. Fixation means getting stuck at an earlier developmental stage rather than a denial of reality. Dissociation involves a separation from thoughts, memories, or identity, not simply denying what’s real. Displacement redirects emotions from the true target to a safer substitute, rather than denying the event itself. The specific act of refusing to accept reality is what defines denial.