Which defense mechanism involves consciously blocking thoughts from awareness?

Which defense mechanism involves consciously blocking thoughts from awareness?

• A. Suppression.
• B. Incorporation.
• C. Displacement.
• D. Projection.

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is the voluntary control of one’s own thoughts to avoid distressing material. Suppression is the deliberate, conscious blocking of thoughts or feelings from awareness. You’re actively choosing to push something away and can choose to revisit it later, which is why this option best fits the description. In contrast, displacement moves emotions toward a safer object, projection attributes one’s own unacceptable thoughts to someone else, and incorporation isn’t a standard mechanism focused on blocking awareness. Suppression is the only one that centers on a conscious, intentional exclusion of thoughts from conscious focus.

The concept being tested is the voluntary control of one’s own thoughts to avoid distressing material. Suppression is the deliberate, conscious blocking of thoughts or feelings from awareness. You’re actively choosing to push something away and can choose to revisit it later, which is why this option best fits the description. In contrast, displacement moves emotions toward a safer object, projection attributes one’s own unacceptable thoughts to someone else, and incorporation isn’t a standard mechanism focused on blocking awareness. Suppression is the only one that centers on a conscious, intentional exclusion of thoughts from conscious focus.