AP Psychology Practice Test

What is the basic defense mechanism that banishes anxiety-arousing thoughts from consciousness?

1. Repression

2. Fixation

3. Identification

4. Defense mechanism

The correct answer is: Repression

The concept of repression is a fundamental defense mechanism in psychoanalytic theory, primarily associated with Sigmund Freud. This mechanism operates by pushing distressing thoughts, memories, or desires out of conscious awareness, effectively protecting the individual from experiencing anxiety or internal conflict. By keeping these anxiety-arousing thoughts buried, individuals can function without being overwhelmed by the emotional impact of those thoughts. Repression plays a critical role in how people cope with trauma or strong negative emotions, as it helps maintain psychological stability. For instance, a person who has experienced a traumatic event may not consciously remember the details, but the repressed memories can still affect their behavior and emotional state. Understanding repression is essential in exploring how individuals navigate their inner mental landscapes and cope with life's challenges. In contrast, fixation relates to an obsessive attachment to a particular stage of psychosexual development, identification involves adopting the characteristics of another person to bolster self-esteem, and the term "defense mechanism" broadly refers to various strategies the ego employs to protect itself from anxiety, without specifying one particular process like repression.