Final answer:
Defense mechanisms, in psychoanalytic theory, are unconscious behaviors used by the ego to shield itself from anxiety arising from conflicts between the id and superego. These include repression, reaction formation, projection, and others. Overuse of defense mechanisms can lead to mental health issues per Freud's theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to psychoanalytic theories, defense mechanisms are unconscious protective behaviors that work to reduce anxiety. Sigmund Freud speculated that the ego uses these mechanisms to protect itself from feelings of anxiety caused by conflicts between the id's desires and the superego's moral constraints. These mechanisms include repression, reaction formation, projection, rationalization, displacement, and sublimation. When the ego is unable to mediate the conflict between the id and the superego, it resorts to unconscious strivings to protect the ego from being overwhelmed by anxiety.
For example, if a person feels anxious about their desires that are perceived as socially unacceptable, they may use defense mechanisms to cope. An individual might unconsciously repress painful memories, demonstrate the opposite of their true feelings through reaction formation, project their own feelings onto others, rationalize behaviors to make them seem logical, displace emotions onto a less threatening target, or sublimate unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.
Freud's psychoanalytic theory also indicates that overreliance on defense mechanisms can lead to mental health issues such as neurosis and anxiety disorders. However, they are nonetheless a common and normal part of psychological processes, helping the individual navigate complex social environments and internal conflicts.