When learners want to escape from frustrating situations, they may use which defense mechanism?

The choice of "Flight" as the defense mechanism used by learners to escape frustrating situations is fundamentally associated with the instinctive desire to avoid discomfort or anxiety. When individuals experience frustration—whether from learning challenges, social pressures, or emotional stress—they may instinctively seek to retreat from the situation, both mentally and physically. This behavior is a natural response that helps protect their emotional well-being by providing a temporary escape from stressors, allowing them to avoid facing the source of their frustration.

This mechanism can manifest in various ways, such as withdrawing from social interactions, procrastinating on tasks, or disengaging from difficult topics. By using "Flight," individuals are effectively prioritizing their immediate emotional needs over confronting the underlying issue, which might lead to more significant problems if those frustrating situations are left unaddressed in the long term.

In contrast, other defense mechanisms like projection, repression, or displacement involve influencing emotions or perceptions in different ways, such as misattributing one's feelings to others, unconsciously blocking out distressing memories or thoughts, or redirecting feelings from one target to another. These mechanisms do not align as closely with the direct act of escaping from frustrating circumstances.