Postponing paying attention of conscious impulse or conflict is mature defence mechanism known as
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the understanding of defense mechanisms in psychiatry, specifically the mature defense mechanism of suppression. Suppression is a coping mechanism where an individual postpones paying attention to a conscious impulse or conflict, temporarily pushing it out of awareness.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Suppression is a healthy defense mechanism that involves the conscious decision to delay or divert one's attention from a stressful or anxiety-provoking stimulus. This allows individuals to temporarily manage their emotional responses and reduce feelings of anxiety or distress. Suppression is considered a mature defense mechanism because it involves a conscious effort to control one's thoughts and emotions, rather than resorting to more primitive or maladaptive coping strategies. When an individual suppresses a thought or impulse, they are not repressing it, but rather temporarily setting it aside.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Sublimation is a defense mechanism that involves redirecting unacceptable thoughts or impulses into more socially acceptable behaviors. It is not related to postponing attention to a conscious impulse or conflict.
**Option C:** Humor is a defense mechanism that involves using laughter or wit to diffuse tension or anxiety. While humor can be a healthy coping strategy, it is not directly related to postponing attention to a conscious impulse or conflict.
**Option D:** Anticipation is a defense mechanism that involves preparing for a potential threat or stressor. While anticipation can be a proactive coping strategy, it is not directly related to postponing attention to a conscious impulse or conflict.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to distinguish between suppression and repression. Suppression involves a conscious decision to delay or divert attention from a stressful stimulus, whereas repression involves the unconscious pushing of a thought or impulse out of awareness.
**β Correct Answer: B. Suppression**