A male survives a life-threatening experience only to find that when it is over, he has no conscious memories of the event. Hypnosis reveals that the memories are buried in his unconscious mind and have been blocked from consciousness. This is an example of what Freud referred to as ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of repression, which is a defense mechanism that involves unconsciously blocking out or pushing down memories or thoughts that cause anxiety or discomfort. These memories are still present in the unconscious mind and can be accessed through techniques such as hypnosis or therapy. Suppression, on the other hand, involves consciously choosing to avoid or ignore uncomfortable thoughts or memories. Denial and reaction formation are also defense mechanisms, but they involve different processes.

A Male Survives a Life-Threatening Experience Only to Find That