Final answer:
Compensation is a defense mechanism where individuals mask feelings of inferiority by developing strengths in other areas. It is crucial for personality development, helping to maintain self-esteem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The defense mechanism of interest is compensation. It's part of our personality development and involves efforts to overcome feelings of inferiority. For example, if someone feels inadequate in social situations due to shyness, they might compensate by excelling in solitary activities such as writing or art, gaining a sense of self-worth and achievement in the process. Compensation allows individuals to mask their perceived weaknesses by highlighting or developing strengths in other areas.
Other defense mechanisms include rationalization, where a person confronted with anxiety justifies their behavior with plausible reasons, regardless of the real motivation. Regression is characterized by a return to earlier stages of development in response to stress or conflict, exhibiting behaviors that were previously outgrown. Projection involves attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to someone else, to avoid confronting them as one's own. Freud emphasized that while these mechanisms can help to reduce anxiety, an overreliance on them may become problematic.