Georgia Jail School Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Resource to Ensure Exam Success!

The correct choice reflects a negative coping behavior during stress, which is projection. Projection involves attributing one's own undesirable thoughts or feelings onto someone else, essentially avoiding personal responsibility for those feelings and creating a distorted perception of reality. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflict in relationships since it shifts the focus from one's own challenges to blaming others, rather than addressing the underlying issues.

In contrast, the other methods mentioned are more constructive. Rationalizing feelings, while it can sometimes lead to avoidance, allows individuals to find explanations for their emotional state, although it might not always be healthy. Finding healthy alternatives promotes positive stress management through activities that improve well-being. Training for new responses indicates a proactive approach to developing better coping strategies, suggesting adaptability and personal growth. Hence, projection stands out as a maladaptive method that does not facilitate healthy processing of stress.