Final answer:
The defense mechanism being described is called projection, where a person attributes their own unacceptable urges to others as a way to cope with anxiety. This unconscious behavior serves as a protection for their ego against internal conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The defense mechanism where a person's own unacceptable impulses are thought to belong to someone else is known as projection. This ego defense mechanism allows an individual to deal with anxiety by attributing their own repressed thoughts and feelings to others, thereby externalizing the source of their inner conflict. It is a way for the ego to protect itself from the distress associated with acknowledging one's own unacceptable urges.For instance, a person who is feeling aggressive impulses may accuse someone else of being hostile. By doing so, they defend their ego from the anxiety that comes with the recognition of their aggressive tendencies. These mechanisms operate unconsciously and can distort reality as a means to cope with stressors and internal conflicts.In conclusion, projection is a mechanism of defense where anxiety-provoking impulses are deflected onto others, rather than being acknowledged as part of the self. This process is automatic and serves to protect the individual's ego by keeping distressing thoughts and feelings at bay.