Which one of the following choices best represents a positive defense mechanism to stress?
a. rationalization
b. splitting
c. affiliation
d. repression

The answer is A. Rationalization

Rationalization is a defense mechanism in which we justify behavior in somehow a rational manner in order to make it tolerable for us, or even make us feel good about it.

for example, someone experience stress because he just steal from someone , its not uncommon for that person to say something like this to himslef :
" Well, it's better than dying, so i got to do it"

Cotton with iron probably