According to Freud, ego-defense mechanisms are employed by the brain and distort reality in order to reduce anxiety. He believed that anxiety was the result of urges from the id entering consciousness, rather than being successfully controlled by the ego. Defense mechanisms work to ignore those urges, rather than to successfully remove them from consciousness. Which defense mechanism involves retreating to an earlier stage of functioning that is safer and less demanding?
A)Repression
B)Regression
C)Displacement
D)Protection

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Regression denotes behaving as if one is in an earlier, safer stage of development in order to avoid potential anxiety arising in the current stage of development. For instance, someone in their late twenties behaves as if they are still a teenager to avoid coping with the stresses of career and other adult choices.

According to Freud, Ego-Defense Mechanisms Are Employed by the Brain