Question 1

Strategies that help individuals cope with anxiety, guilt, and shame are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Strategies that help individuals cope with anxiety, guilt, and shame are called defense mechanisms. These are unconscious psychological strategies used to reduce anxiety by distorting reality in some way. Examples of defense mechanisms include denial, displacement, projection, and repression.

Question 2

Another name for a modern-day psychoanalyst is a(n) ________ psychologist.

Accepted Answer

A modern-day psychoanalyst is commonly referred to as an ego psychologist, as they focus on the role of the conscious mind and how it mediates between the id (unconscious desires) and the superego (internalized moral standards). The other options listed refer to specific concepts within the psychoanalytic theory and are not synonymous with a modern-day psychoanalyst.

Question 3

According to the descriptions of defense mechanisms in the textbook, ignoring anxiety is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

Ignoring anxiety is an example of denial, which is a defense mechanism that involves ignoring the existence of a problem or emotion in order to alleviate anxiety or discomfort. Rationalization involves justifying one's behavior or feelings in a way that makes it seem more acceptable. Sublimation involves redirecting unacceptable impulses into productive or creative activities. Avoidance involves actively avoiding situations or emotions that cause anxiety or discomfort.

Question 4

Brian and Matt have both just flunked out of college. Brian is sure he did not flunk and that he really is going to graduate. Matt simply refuses to think about what just happened. Brian is using the defense mechanism of ________ and Matt is using ________.

Accepted Answer

Brian is using denial by refusing to accept the reality of flunking out, while Matt is using repression by avoiding thinking about the event.

Question 5

Juan pushed a terrible childhood experience out of his awareness and now is unable to recall it in adulthood. Which defense mechanism is he using?

Accepted Answer

Repression is the defense mechanism in which an individual pushes unacceptable or disturbing thoughts, memories, or emotions into the unconscious mind to avoid conscious awareness of them. In this case, Juan is unable to recall a childhood experience, which could indicate that it was suppressed through repression.

Question 6

Diana, a married woman, is contemplating having an affair with an attractive man in her department at work. Her ego would likely ________.

Accepted Answer

The ego is responsible for rational thinking and practicality, so it would likely object to the affair because it seems impractical, considering potential consequences and complications.

Question 7

The primary result of psychic conflict is ________.

Accepted Answer

Psychic conflict refers to the mental struggle between opposing thoughts, feelings or impulses. This conflict can lead to feelings of anxiety, as the individual may feel torn between different desires or ideas. While depression and aggression can both be related to psychological distress, they are not necessarily the primary result of psychic conflict. Immorality is not a typical outcome of psychic conflict.

Question 8

According to psychoanalytic theory, ________ occurs when the mind battles itself.

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, psychic conflict occurs when the mind battles itself, specifically between desires of the id, morals of the superego, and reality of the ego. A neurotic conflict refers to unresolved emotional conflict from childhood that continues to affect a person's behavior and emotions in adulthood. Splitting is a defense mechanism where a person sees things as only good or bad, with no in-between. Negative conflict is not a term typically used in psychoanalytic theory.

Question 9

Zeke has just found out that his brother has been killed in a plane crash. His first response is "No, not John; he's not dead." According to psychoanalytic theory, Zeke is experiencing the operation of a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies used to cope with anxiety and to protect the ego. In this case, Zeke's denial of his brother's death serves as a defense mechanism to protect him from the overwhelming pain and anxiety that would come from accepting the reality of the situation.

Question 10

Modern ego psychologists believe that the key function of the ego is to ________.

Accepted Answer

Modern ego psychologists believe that the key function of the ego is to form compromises among the different parts of the mind, particularly between the irrational demands of the id and the moralistic constraints of the superego, in order to maintain a stable personality. The ego serves as the mediator, ensuring that the individual's desires are met in ways that are socially acceptable and in accordance with personal ethics. Reflecting the values and morals of parents, seeking pleasure, and interpreting dream symbolism are not considered the key functions of the ego in modern ego psychology.

Question 11

Sam believes that a considerable amount of interesting human behavior is explained by our denial of the reality of our mortality and eventual annihilation. Sam subscribes to ________ theory.

Accepted Answer

Sam's belief aligns with the terror management theory, which proposes that humans have a natural fear of death and that this fear motivates many of our behaviors, including our need for self-esteem, cultural beliefs, and other defense mechanisms that help us cope with the reality of our mortality.

Question 12

Trisha, who is on a diet, passes a bakery and sees a chocolate cake in the window. She immediately wants to go in and get the cake, but then realizes that eating the cake will only destroy her diet. When she then feels guilty for even thinking about breaking her diet, Trisha is experiencing ________.

Accepted Answer

Trisha is experiencing psychic conflict, which refers to the internal struggle between opposing desires or motives. In this case, she wants to indulge in the chocolate cake but also wants to stick to her diet, which creates conflicting feelings and a sense of guilt. Delay of gratification refers to the ability to resist immediate temptation in order to achieve long-term goals, sublimation refers to channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities, and reaction formation refers to expressing the opposite of one's true feelings or impulses. None of these concepts fully capture Trisha's experience in this scenario.

Question 13

The ego suppresses the id for ________ reasons.

Accepted Answer

The ego suppresses the id for practical reasons. The id is the impulsive part of the personality that seeks immediate gratification, while the ego is the rational part that considers the consequences of actions and makes decisions based on reality. The ego must suppress the id in order to protect the individual from harm and to ensure that the individual's needs are met in a realistic way.

Question 14

A common first reaction to the diagnosis of a fatal illness is ________.

Accepted Answer

Denial of the diagnosis is a common first reaction to the diagnosis of a fatal illness. It is a defense mechanism that allows the person to avoid the reality of their situation and cope with the overwhelming emotions that come with it. The person may feel a sense of disbelief and refuse to accept the diagnosis. It is a temporary coping mechanism that helps the person to gradually come to terms with their illness.

Question 15

The defense mechanism of ________ keeps forbidden thoughts, feelings, and impulses out of awareness by replacing them with their opposites.

Accepted Answer

The defense mechanism described in this question is reaction formation, which is the process of replacing forbidden thoughts or feelings with the complete opposite. For example, someone who has a desire to say something rude may instead go out of their way to be excessively polite as a way to protect their ego from negative feelings associated with being seen as impolite.

Question 16

Angie has completely repressed any memory of the sexual abuse she experienced as a child. Lately, she has been experiencing extreme stress at work and is going through a traumatic divorce. Which of the following is LEAST likely to happen, according to psychoanalytic theorizing about defense mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

According to psychoanalytic theory, when someone is under extreme stress or experiencing a traumatic event, their defense mechanisms may fail, causing anxiety and potential recall of repressed memories. However, it is unlikely that during this time, Angie would switch to a more sophisticated defense mechanism.

Question 17

When a person uses denial, he or she ________. When a person uses repression, he or she ________.

Accepted Answer

Denial involves failing to perceive or acknowledge the existence of a source of anxiety, while repression involves banishing distressing memories or thoughts from conscious awareness.

Question 18

When a Freudian refers to "psychic conflict," he or she means that one individual's ________.

Accepted Answer

Psychic conflict in Freudian theory refers to the conflict between the id, ego, and superego within a single individual's psyche. It is the tension between these three parts of the psyche that leads to psychological distress and the need for defense mechanisms to cope with this conflict. Therefore, option D is the correct choice. Options A and B involve conflict between individuals, which is outside the scope of psychic conflict, and option C involves conflict between two parts of the same individual's psyche, which is incomplete since it does not include the ego.

Question 19

According to Freud's theory, the ego's energy store is ________.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, the ego's energy store is limited and must manage the competing demands of the id and the superego. This is why people experience anxiety when faced with conflicting desires, as the ego must expend energy to make decisions and choose which impulses to satisfy.

Answer: D) decreased in adulthood 
 According to Freud, the ego's energy reserves decrease in adulthood due to the process of natural aging and the accumulation of stressors throughout life. This makes it more challenging for the ego to maintain a balance between the id and the superego, which can lead to psychological distress and conflict.

Question 20

Which part of the mind is responsible for creating defense mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

Defense mechanisms are created by the ego, which is responsible for managing conflicts between the impulses of the id and the demands of reality.

Quiz 11: The Workings of the Unconscious Mind: Defenses and Slips