In psychoanalysis, what term refers to the blocking from consciousness of anxiety-laden material?

In psychoanalysis, what term refers to the blocking from consciousness of anxiety-laden material?

• A. Interpretation
• B. Resistance
• C. Transference
• D. Psychodynamic therapy

Answer: (B)

Resistance is the term for the way anxiety-laden material is kept out of consciousness in psychoanalysis. Patients defend themselves against painful thoughts or memories by unconsciously blocking discussion of them, showing up as hesitations, topic shifts, missed sessions, or avoiding certain issues. This outward blocking signals that threatening material lies just beneath the surface, and the analyst uses interpretations to help the person confront it. Interpretation is when the therapist explains the hidden meaning behind thoughts or behaviors to illuminate unconscious content; transference is the patient redirecting feelings about important people onto the therapist; psychodynamic therapy refers to the broader approach that uses insight into unconscious processes. Repression is the underlying defense that actually moves material out of conscious awareness, but in session the phenomenon clinicians label is resistance.

Resistance is the term for the way anxiety-laden material is kept out of consciousness in psychoanalysis. Patients defend themselves against painful thoughts or memories by unconsciously blocking discussion of them, showing up as hesitations, topic shifts, missed sessions, or avoiding certain issues. This outward blocking signals that threatening material lies just beneath the surface, and the analyst uses interpretations to help the person confront it.

Interpretation is when the therapist explains the hidden meaning behind thoughts or behaviors to illuminate unconscious content; transference is the patient redirecting feelings about important people onto the therapist; psychodynamic therapy refers to the broader approach that uses insight into unconscious processes. Repression is the underlying defense that actually moves material out of conscious awareness, but in session the phenomenon clinicians label is resistance.