A child expresses a wish for his absent father while neglecting his mother's authority. This scenario exemplifies:

The scenario demonstrates idealization, which occurs when an individual attributes exaggerated positive qualities to someone or something, often to compensate for unresolved feelings or situations involving absence, disappointment, or conflict. In this case, the child expresses a desire for his absent father, potentially seeing him as the ideal parent figure, while simultaneously disregarding his mother's authority. This behavior reflects the child's longing for the father and a tendency to put him on a pedestal despite his absence, which can serve as a coping mechanism to mask the child's feelings regarding the current familial dynamics.

Rationalization, though a potential contender, would more typically involve justifying behaviors or feelings with logical reasons, rather than idealizing a figure. The other concepts, such as denial and intellectualization, do not align with the child's demonstration of longing and the valuing of the father over the situation with the mother, further supporting that idealization is the most fitting term for this behavior.