Final answer:
Our thoughts and actions are governed by the preconscious, conscious, and unconscious. Ego-defense mechanisms are necessary to protect the ego from distress. The Freudian theory of personality development has strengths and weaknesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Our thoughts and actions are governed by three levels of consciousness: the preconscious, conscious, and unconscious. The preconscious contains thoughts and memories that are not in our immediate awareness but can be easily accessed. The conscious level contains thoughts and perceptions that we are currently aware of. The unconscious level contains thoughts, desires, and memories that are hidden from our conscious awareness.
The ego-defense mechanisms are necessary to protect the ego from distress caused by conflicts between the id and superego. These defense mechanisms work unconsciously and help the ego cope with anxiety and maintain stability. Examples of ego-defense mechanisms include repression, projection, and denial.
Freudian theory of personality development has strengths and weaknesses. One strength is that Freud’s theory recognized the importance of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences in shaping personality. However, Freud's theory has been criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and its emphasis on sexuality as the primary driver of behavior.