What term is used to describe a behavioral response arising from conflicts of inner responses and the anxiety they generate?

The term that describes a behavioral response arising from conflicts of inner responses and the anxiety they generate is known as a defense mechanism. In psychology, defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies brought into play by various entities of the psyche to manipulate, deny, or distort reality, thereby protecting the individual from anxiety or unacceptable thoughts and feelings. They serve as coping mechanisms to help someone deal with stress, trauma, or conflict.

Defense mechanisms can manifest in various forms, such as denial, repression, projection, and rationalization, among others. Each of these serves to shield the individual from emotional pain or conflict, highlighting that the root of their behavior stems from deeper internal struggles. Understanding defense mechanisms is crucial in fields like psychology and counseling, as they provide insight into human behavior and coping strategies individuals employ.

Personality refers to the individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It encompasses a broader scope than just the responses to anxiety-induced conflicts. Ego, in Freudian terms, is the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity. While it plays a role in managing internal conflicts, it does not specifically describe the reaction itself as a defense mechanism does. Supere