Theory in Psychoanalysis: Defense Mechanism by Sigmund Freud
Think about one of the major theories in psychoanalysis: the id, ego, and superego; dream analysis; defense mechanisms; archetypes; inferiority and compensation; adjustment patterns; or any other major theory of psychoanalysis. Explain your chosen theory. How do you encounter this in your life — either personally, in someone you know, or in your work? How will the theories proposed in the psychoanalytic school of thought impact your chosen profession? Use at least two key concepts as you discuss your answer.
Unit 4 Discussion
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Unit 4 Discussion
One of the main theories in psychoanalysis is the defense mechanism advanced by Sigmund Freud. According to Spielman et al. (2020), when particular feelings, events, or yearnings make an individual anxious, the individual may seek to reduce the anxiety. As such, the person's unconscious mind utilizes ego defense mechanisms to lessen anxiety (Perrotta, 2020). The ego usually turns to unconscious strivings to prevent it from being overwhelmed by anxiety (Spielman et al., 2020). As Spielman et al. (2020) informed, the major defense mechanisms people employ include displacement, denial, projection, regression, sublimation, repression, rationalization, and reaction formation.