Name a common defense mechanism.

• A. Dream interpretation
• B. Cognitive rehearsal
• C. Content analysis
• D. Repression

Answer: (D)

Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies the mind uses to shield itself from anxiety. Repression is a classic example: distressing thoughts or memories are pushed out of conscious awareness, so you don’t have to face them. It happens involuntarily, without intentional effort, which is why it’s described as a defense mechanism.

Dream interpretation isn’t a defense mechanism itself; it’s a technique used in psychoanalysis to explore unconscious content by analyzing dreams. Cognitive rehearsal is a planning or practice strategy for handling future situations, not a mechanism for protecting the ego. Content analysis is a research method for examining texts or media, not a psychological defense mechanism.