A person whose self-esteem is momentarily threatened is especially likely to

A) demonstrate an independence from social pressure to conform.
B) criticize the shortcomings of others.
C) experience an internal locus of control.
D) be motivated by a introversion.

When a person's self-esteem is momentarily threatened, they may engage in defensive behavior to protect their ego. This can include criticizing the shortcomings of others in order to feel better about themselves. This behavior is known as "downward social comparison." So, option B is the best choice in this case. Option A is unlikely because people with low self-esteem are more likely to conform to social pressure. Option C and D are not directly related to self-esteem being threatened.