Final answer:
Defense mechanisms are unconscious protective behaviors that reduce anxiety without our awareness. They include repression, reaction formation, and regression, and are automatic responses by the ego to protect itself.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defense mechanisms enable us to reduce the level of our anxiety without thinking about it. The ego, when faced with uncomfortable or anxiety-inducing situations, resorts to unconscious strivings to protect itself from being overwhelmed. According to Freud, ego defense mechanisms are unconscious protective behaviors that distort reality to reduce anxiety.
Examples of Defense Mechanisms
- Repression: Uncomfortable memories are blocked from consciousness.
- Reaction Formation: A person exhibits behaviors opposite to their actual feelings.
- Regression: An individual reverts to a more immature behavioral stage.
These mechanisms, such as repression, reaction formation, and regression, function automatically and can sometimes be problematic if overused.