Repression is described as a step deeper than which defense mechanism?

Repression is described as a step deeper than which defense mechanism?

• A. Regression
• B. Denial
• C. Sublimation
• D. Undoing

Answer: (B)

Depth of defense mechanisms is being tested. Denial protects by refusing to accept reality at a conscious level, acting as a surface-level shield against anxiety. Repression, however, pushes distressing thoughts, memories, or impulses into the unconscious, making them inaccessible to awareness. That placement deep in the mind is why repression is described as deeper than denial. For example, denial might look like insisting a troubling diagnosis isn’t true, while repression involves forgetting or being unaware of a traumatic event, with the memory unavailable without therapy. Other defenses like regression (returning to earlier behavior under stress), sublimation (channeling impulses into constructive outlets), and undoing (attempting to negate a thought or action) operate differently in terms of consciousness and depth, and are not considered deeper than repression.

Depth of defense mechanisms is being tested. Denial protects by refusing to accept reality at a conscious level, acting as a surface-level shield against anxiety. Repression, however, pushes distressing thoughts, memories, or impulses into the unconscious, making them inaccessible to awareness. That placement deep in the mind is why repression is described as deeper than denial. For example, denial might look like insisting a troubling diagnosis isn’t true, while repression involves forgetting or being unaware of a traumatic event, with the memory unavailable without therapy. Other defenses like regression (returning to earlier behavior under stress), sublimation (channeling impulses into constructive outlets), and undoing (attempting to negate a thought or action) operate differently in terms of consciousness and depth, and are not considered deeper than repression.