What are "defense mechanisms" in psychology?

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals employ to manage stress, anxiety, and internal conflicts, ultimately helping maintain their self-image and emotional balance. They function as automatic, unconscious processes that protect the individual from feelings of discomfort or anxiety, allowing them to navigate reality in a way that alleviates psychological distress.

The relevance of defense mechanisms can be understood through the lens of psychoanalytic theory, primarily developed by Sigmund Freud, who posited that these mechanisms help maintain mental stability by shielding the ego from uncomfortable thoughts or feelings. These mechanisms can include processes such as repression, denial, projection, and rationalization, among others. Each serves a specific purpose in helping an individual cope with reality while preserving their self-esteem and psychological well-being.

Other choices provided do not accurately capture the essence of defense mechanisms. For instance, physical methods to improve therapy outcomes do not relate to the psychological processes involved; emotional expressions might be influenced by defense mechanisms but don't define them; and communication styles used in therapy sessions pertain more to interpersonal dynamics than to the individual psychological defense processes at play.