Final answer:
Defense mechanisms are unconscious protective behaviors that work to reduce anxiety. Some examples include denial, repression, projection, reaction formation, rationalization, displacement, and sublimation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defense mechanisms are unconscious protective behaviors that work to reduce anxiety. They are strategies that individuals use to cope with stress and protect themselves from unpleasant feelings and thoughts. Some examples of defense mechanisms include denial, repression, projection, reaction formation, rationalization, displacement, and sublimation.