National Counselor Exam (NCE)

According to Freud, which defense mechanism is considered the most important?

1. Projection

2. Repression

3. Denial

4. Displacement

The correct answer is: Repression

Freud's theory of psychodynamics emphasizes the role of defense mechanisms in protecting the ego from anxiety and undesirable thoughts or impulses. Among these mechanisms, repression is considered the most fundamental. Repression involves unconsciously blocking unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and memories from awareness. This mechanism is crucial because it underlies the workings of many other defense mechanisms; for example, projection, denial, and displacement often manifest as a result of repressed experiences or feelings. Repression serves as a primary means of managing internal conflict and anxiety, thus allowing individuals to function without being overwhelmed by distressing emotions or thoughts. It can shape behavior and attitudes significantly without the individual being consciously aware of the underlying causes. Recognizing the role of repression helps in understanding how deeper psychological issues might influence a person's actions, as repressed feelings might later be expressed in distorted ways. By focusing on repression as the central defense mechanism in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, it illustrates the importance of understanding unconscious processes in human behavior and mental health.