A woman blames a line judge for her losses in a tennis tournament rather than her own poor play. What coping mechanism does this illustrate?

The response illustrates rationalization, which is a defense mechanism where a person justifies or explains their behavior or feelings in a seemingly logical or reasonable manner, even when these justifications may not truly reflect the underlying reality. In this scenario, the woman asserts that her losses are due to the line judge's actions instead of acknowledging her own shortcomings in her performance.

This mechanism allows individuals to protect their self-esteem and avoid facing uncomfortable truths about themselves. By shifting the blame to an external factor, she can maintain her sense of self-worth without confronting the possibility that her skills or decisions contributed to her losses. This process of rationalization can help alleviate feelings of guilt or inadequacy but does not lead to personal growth or accountability.