Which statement about ego defense mechanisms is true?

• A. They are always conscious and reveal the truth
• B. They are unconscious and protect the ego from anxiety
• C. They distort reality but are always purposeful
• D. They are rarely used by therapists

Answer: (B)

Defense mechanisms are unconscious mental processes that shield the ego from anxiety by distorting or denying reality to reduce distress. Because they operate outside conscious awareness, people typically don’t intend to reveal the truth; these mechanisms act automatically to ease uncomfortable feelings. They may alter or gloss over reality, but they aren’t deliberate, purposeful tactics to tell the truth or deceive on purpose. Therapists routinely attend to defenses as part of understanding a client’s coping patterns, so saying they’re rarely used by therapists misses how often defenses arise and are addressed in practice. In short, the true statement is that defense mechanisms are unconscious and protect the ego from anxiety.