Question

Matteo was bitten by a dog when he was 2 years old. As he grew up, he developed an intense fear of dogs. However, he did not remember when and why he started being afraid of dogs. According to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which defense mechanism is Matteo exhibiting in this scenario
A) displacement
B) rationalization
C) projection
D) repression

Answer 1

Answer: D) Repression

Explanation: According to Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, Repression is a situation where one unconsciously pushes aside or remove painful memories/experiences out of his or her consciouness to the point that they are no longer aware of the existence of such memories/experiences. Even though this memories can't be remembered, they still affect the behaviors of this individuals in one way or the other.

Matteo's experience of how he was biten by a dog was so painful that he unconsciously pushes the memories out of his consciouness, this led to him becoming unaware of the incident but he is still afraid of dogs and he can't remember how and when he started being afraid of dogs. This shows that although he has forgotten the experience, the memories still affects his behavior. This scenario best illustrates repression.