Which term describes unconscious processes that protect the ego from threatening thoughts?

Which term describes unconscious processes that protect the ego from threatening thoughts?

• A. Defense Mechanisms
• B. Cognitive Dissonance
• C. Schema
• D. Attentional Bias

Answer: (A)

Unconscious processes that shield the ego from threatening thoughts are defense mechanisms. These are automatic mental strategies that operate outside awareness to reduce anxiety and protect self-esteem. They help keep distressing material out of consciousness or reinterpret it in a less threatening way, often without deliberate effort. For example, repression pushes troubling thoughts away, while denial refuses to acknowledge reality. This idea is distinct from cognitive dissonance, which is the discomfort that arises when holding conflicting beliefs and motivates people to restore internal consistency. A schema is a mental framework for organizing knowledge and expectations about the world, not a protective strategy. Attentional bias refers to the tendency to focus on certain kinds of information, which can shape perception but isn’t specifically about defending the ego from threats.

Unconscious processes that shield the ego from threatening thoughts are defense mechanisms. These are automatic mental strategies that operate outside awareness to reduce anxiety and protect self-esteem. They help keep distressing material out of consciousness or reinterpret it in a less threatening way, often without deliberate effort. For example, repression pushes troubling thoughts away, while denial refuses to acknowledge reality. This idea is distinct from cognitive dissonance, which is the discomfort that arises when holding conflicting beliefs and motivates people to restore internal consistency. A schema is a mental framework for organizing knowledge and expectations about the world, not a protective strategy. Attentional bias refers to the tendency to focus on certain kinds of information, which can shape perception but isn’t specifically about defending the ego from threats.