Final answer:
In psychodynamic theory, the 'firewalls and encryptions' that protect the unconscious mind are known as defense mechanisms, with repression being a key example where undesirable memories are blocked from consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
In psychodynamic theory, the concepts similar to firewalls and encryptions that make it difficult to access the unconscious mind are referred to as defense mechanisms. These unconscious protective behaviors work to reduce anxiety and include various forms such as repression, resistance, transference, and other mechanisms. Repression is a specific type of defense mechanism where anxiety-causing memories or feelings are blocked from consciousness.
According to Freud, defense mechanisms serve to protect the ego from being overwhelmed by anxiety arising from inner conflicts. Among different mechanisms, repression involves removing unpleasant memories from our conscious awareness, akin to turning up the radio to ignore the noise of a malfunctioning car, while other mechanisms like reaction formation, regression, projection, rationalization, displacement, and sublimation involve various ways of distorting reality to manage anxiety and conflict.