Which defense mechanism is demonstrated by a woman who calmly describes a grisly murder?

The defense mechanism demonstrated by a woman who calmly describes a grisly murder is isolation. Isolation refers to the process of separating feelings from thoughts about a traumatic event, allowing an individual to discuss or recall an emotionally charged event without expressing the associated emotional response. In this scenario, the woman is able to recount a disturbing situation—such as a murder—without showing signs of fear, sadness, or anxiety, indicating that she has detached her emotional response from the memory, thereby facilitating a calm discussion about the event.

This mechanism is commonly observed in individuals who have experienced trauma or who are trying to cope with overwhelming situations. They may recount their experiences in a detached or unemotional manner to avoid experiencing the pain or distress associated with those memories. By isolating her emotions, the woman can maintain composure and present the information rationally, demonstrating the characteristics of this specific defense mechanism.