Final answer:
Repression is a defense mechanism involving the blocking of anxiety-causing memories from consciousness, similar to turning up the radio to ignore a car noise. It is relevant in discussions of memory recovery techniques and the treatment of PTSD.The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passenger of the accident having no memory of the events leading up to the crash is an example of Repression. Repression is a defense mechanism where anxiety-causing memories are blocked from consciousness. This can be likened to turning up the radio so that you don't hear the noise from a malfunctioning car part. The mind similarly can repress memories that are too overwhelming, effectively removing them from conscious awareness and causing symptoms in other areas. Notably, researchers like Elizabeth Loftus have challenged the notion that such repressed memories can be accurately recovered, especially with techniques like hypnosis, because of the susceptibility of memory to suggestion and alteration.
Understanding repression is critical because it can lend insight into treatments for disorders such as post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), where recollecting certain events can disable individuals from functioning normally.