“A tennis player slams his tennis racket to the ground when disappointed with his/her game”. In the above example, the tennis player exhibits which of the following defense mechanisms to handle frustration?

Correct option is A

The act of slamming a racket to the ground due to frustration or disappointment is a classic example of aggression as a defense mechanism. In psychology, defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used by individuals to cope with anxiety, frustration, or unacceptable impulses.

Aggression, in this context, is a direct outward expression of frustration. When an individual cannot achieve a goal or experiences a setback (like poor performance in a game), they may express this disappointment through physical or verbal outbursts, targeting objects or people around them. Here, the racket becomes a symbolic outlet for the emotional release.

This type of behavior is especially observed in high-stress, performance-based environments, such as sports, where the emotional intensity is high, and individuals often struggle to contain disappointment.

Information Booster:

• Aggression as a defense mechanism involves channeling frustration into outward hostility or destruction.

• It provides temporary relief but doesn't resolve the underlying issue causing the emotional response.

• In sports psychology, such behaviors are often addressed through emotional regulation training.

• This mechanism can be self-directed (e.g., self-criticism) or other-directed (e.g., damaging property).

• It is usually an immature defense and may lead to long-term negative consequences like penalties or emotional burnout.

• Recognizing and managing aggressive tendencies is important for maintaining mental resilience and sportsmanship.

Additional Knowledge:

(b) Regression
This involves reverting to earlier stages of development in behavior. For example, an adult crying like a child or acting childishly under stress. Slamming a racket is not a return to an earlier developmental stage, so this does not apply.

(c) Projection
Projection is when a person attributes their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else. For example, blaming others for one's failure. The tennis player is not blaming another, but rather releasing frustration physically, so this is incorrect.

(d) Rationalization
Rationalization involves creating logical excuses or justifications to explain away one's failures or unacceptable behaviors. Saying, "The racket was faulty" would be rationalization — but simply slamming it is an act of aggression, not explanation.