Final answer:
Defense mechanisms are subconscious efforts to alleviate anxiety caused by internal conflicts, functioning without our conscious awareness to protect us in the short term. The correct answer is C. Defense mechanisms are an unconscious process.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is most important to remember about defense mechanisms is that they are unconscious protective behaviors that work to reduce anxiety. Sigmund Freud's theories emphasized that these mechanisms function automatically to help the ego deal with feelings of anxiety when there's a conflict between the id and the superego. For example, repression is when anxiety-causing memories are blocked from consciousness. Other mechanisms like reaction formation involve expressing the opposite of one's true feelings, whereas regression entails reverting to behavior from an earlier developmental stage. Ultimately, these mechanisms protect the individual in the short term but can have long-term negative impacts if overused or not adequately addressed.