Sample Solution

The defense mechanism at work here is displacement. This occurs when a person directs their feelings of anger or frustration onto someone else rather than the source of their distress (Zastrow & Hessenauer 2019). In this case, the teenager may be displacing their own feelings of guilt and shame onto their parent in order to avoid having to confront them directly.

In terms of overcoming this defensiveness, Gibb’s model suggests that the first step is for both parties to identify and recognize that a communication breakdown has occurred due to one or both of them becoming defensive (Gibb 1981). Once this has been established, it is important for both people involved to express understanding as well as acceptance for each other’s perspectives which should help reduce tensions between them (Gibb 1981). Additionally it would be beneficial for the defensive party to reflect on why they feel threatened in order to gain insight into their underlying motivations. Through this process they can come up with more constructive ways of dealing with negative emotions while fostering healthier dialogue within their relationships.

Ultimately these steps rely heavily on open communication.