Answer:
A) Defense mechanisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defense mechanisms are mental processes that protect individuals from strong or stressful emotions and situations. They are unconscious strategies that help individuals cope with anxiety, conflict, and unacceptable thoughts or feelings. Defense mechanisms work by distorting or transforming reality to reduce discomfort or anxiety.
Here are some examples of defense mechanisms:
1. Denial: Denial involves refusing to acknowledge or accept reality, often in order to protect oneself from painful emotions. For example, a person may deny that they have a drinking problem despite evidence to the contrary.
2. Projection: Projection involves attributing one's own thoughts, feelings, or motives onto someone else. This can help individuals avoid dealing with their own negative emotions. For instance, someone who is jealous may accuse others of being jealous of them.
3. Rationalization: Rationalization involves creating logical, but false, explanations or justifications for one's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. This helps individuals preserve their self-esteem or avoid taking responsibility. For example, a student who fails a test might blame the difficulty of the questions rather than acknowledging their lack of preparation.
4. Repression: Repression involves pushing unwanted or distressing thoughts, memories, or emotions into the unconscious mind. This allows individuals to avoid consciously confronting or dealing with them. For instance, a person who experienced a traumatic event may have no conscious memory of it.
5. Sublimation: Sublimation involves redirecting unacceptable impulses or emotions into socially acceptable activities. For example, someone with aggressive tendencies might channel their aggression into sports or competitive activities.