One way to predict what might show up on the ASWB exam is to flip the perspective: If you were writing the test, what would you include?
Chances are, you'd add:
Vignettes testing NASW Code of Ethics knowledge
Scenarios probing diagnostic understanding
A few questions pulling from the psychology greatest hits
That last group? It likely includes defense mechanisms—classic concepts that are simple, memorable, and exam-ready.
You already know some:
“You’re in denial.”
“Don’t project onto me.”
“Is that… passive-aggressive?”
These pop up in everyday language, but the exam demands a more precise understanding. Here’s a quick refresher on key defense mechanisms:
Denial – Refusing to accept reality or facts to avoid distress.
“I’m not angry,” says the person clearly seething.
Projection – Attributing your own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else.
A person who is cheating accuses their partner of being unfaithful.
Displacement – Shifting feelings from a threatening target to a safer one.
Yelling at your roommate after a tough day at work.
Repression – Unconsciously blocking unpleasant emotions or memories.
Forgetting a traumatic event that happened in childhood.
Regression – Reverting to behavior typical of an earlier developmental stage.
An overwhelmed adult throws a temper tantrum.
Rationalization – Justifying behavior or feelings with logical but false explanations.
“I failed the exam because the teacher isn't any good.”
Reaction Formation – Acting in a way that is opposite to one’s actual feelings.
Treating someone you strongly dislike in an overly friendly manner.
Sublimation – Redirecting unacceptable impulses into productive, socially acceptable actions.
Channeling anger into exercise or creative work.
Intellectualization – Using abstract thinking or excessive reasoning to avoid emotional distress.
Discussing a breakup analytically rather than feeling the sadness.
Identification – Adopting characteristics of someone else to cope with anxiety or fear.
A child mimics a strong adult to feel more secure.
To really drive these home, keep reading/listening:
Understanding these well can help you snag a few easy points on the exam—don’t overlook them.
For realistic, licensing exam-style questions about defense mechanisms and a while lot more, sign up for SWTP practice exams!
Good luck—and happy studying!
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