Final answer:
Repression is a defense mechanism that blocks anxiety-inducing thoughts from conscious awareness, similar to turning up the radio to ignore a car's engine noise. Defense mechanisms like repression and reaction formation work unconsciously to protect the ego from anxiety. Hypnosis and meditation are cognitive processes that can alter brain function and help manage stress and achieve relaxed focus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process mentioned is known as repression, which is a psychological defense mechanism theorized by Sigmund Freud. Repression involves blocking anxiety-provoking thoughts from the conscious mind as a means to protect the individual from experiencing discomfort. An example of this is akin to turning up the radio to drown out the noise of a car engine when one is unable to address the actual problem. In the psyche, repressed memories can remove overwhelming experiences from conscious awareness but may lead to symptoms in other areas of life.
Defense mechanisms operate unconsciously, meaning individuals are not aware they are using them. These mechanisms often distort reality as they function to protect the ego from being overwhelmed by anxiety. Another type of defense mechanism is reaction formation, where a person flips unacceptable urges or behaviors into their opposites as a way to cope with anxiety.
Cognition and affect can be influenced by several cognitive processes like hypnosis, meditation, and mindful awareness. These techniques can alter brain function and states of consciousness, enabling individuals to manage stress and achieve a state of relaxed focus. In turn, this can promote cognitive and emotional flexibility by engaging the prefrontal cortex and moderating the stress response systems.