Learning objective

Understanding defense mechanisms as protective strategies employed by the ego to alleviate anxiety arising from conflicts among personality structures, including: repression, which is the unconscious exclusion of distressing experiences and thoughts; and suppression, which is the conscious effort to exclude unpleasant experiences and thoughts from awareness.

Read the explanation, check the common trap, then practise with flashcards and questions.

Practise this topic Read the exam answer Topic hub

Exam focus

Read the explanation.
Check key terms.
Practise with linked questions.

Cambridge IGCSE PsychologyMemory and forgetting

Study support

Understand this objective

Quick explanation

Understanding defense mechanisms as protective strategies employed by the ego to alleviate anxiety arising from conflicts among personality structures, including: repression, which is the unconscious exclusion of distressing experiences and thoughts; and suppression, which is the conscious effort to exclude unpleasant experiences and thoughts from awareness

This point belongs to The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation., especially The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation. outcomes.
You need to be able to understanding defense mechanisms as protective strategies employed by the ego to alleviate anxiety arising from conflicts among personality structures, including: repression, which is the unconscious exclusion of distressing experiences and thoughts; and suppression, which is the conscious effort to exclude unpleasant experiences and thoughts from awareness.
The key ideas to know are Explain and Describe.
Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.

Key concepts

ExplainDescribe

Why it matters

This objective helps connect The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation. outcomes to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation..

Revision tools

Choose how to practise

Back to topic hub

Flashcards10 linked cards

Flashcard 1 of 10

Press Space to flip, arrows to move

Practice Questions7 linked questions

Question 1 of 7

Choose an answer, get feedback, then move sideways through the set.

0 of 5 attempted

Paper 1 structured question: The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation.

Paper 1Approaches, Issues and Debates1 marks

Description

Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are strategies used by the ego to manage anxiety arising from conflicts among personality structures. Two key types are repression and suppression.

a
Define Define repression in the context of defense mechanisms.
Your answer
Aim for approximately 1 distinct marking point.
[1]

Revision notestopic notes

Open the full topic revision notes when you are ready to review this objective in context.

Open revision notes

Related learning objectives

Understanding the psychodynamic perspective on forgetting, emphasizing the influence of motivation.
The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation. outcomes
Understanding the components of personality structure: the id, which is driven by desires; the ego, which mediates between the id and the super-ego; and the super-ego, which is guided by moral and societal norms. Teaching about the id should be age-appropriate and culturally sensitive, avoiding references to sexual or violent impulses.
The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation. outcomes
Identifying the different levels of consciousness: the conscious mind, which contains thoughts and feelings currently recognized; the pre-conscious mind, which holds thoughts and feelings that can be easily accessed; and the unconscious mind, which contains thoughts and feelings that are not readily accessible.
The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation. outcomes
Applying knowledge of the psychodynamic theory of forgetting to new and unfamiliar situations.
The psychodynamic theory of forgetting, including the role of motivation. outcomes

Revision hubs

Move back to a broader study route

Cambridge IGCSE Psychology resources