Sigmund Freud is often considered to be the father of psychology. He's the mind behind the concept that every human has an id, ego, and superego. The id is a person's animalistic desires and wants in the world. The superego is the oppressor of the id and represents our morals. The ego is the mediator between id and superego. The ego has a large, difficult job as mediator and, sometimes, can be overwhelmed by the task. When this occurs, no action can be taken. In this sense, a person is unable to decide between the id's demands and the superego's confinement. These situations elicit feelings of being overwhelmed. This is called anxiety. .
The ego most often experiences anxiety when weaknesses are brought to light. These weaknesses are shown when the ego struggles to satisfy the id without overstepping the superego. In order to deal with conflict, the ego uses an assortment of defense mechanisms. It is important to note that defense mechanisms operate on an unconscious level. The defense mechanisms assist the ego to ward off unpleasant feelings of anxiety. Defense mechanisms are needed because memories that are unpleasant to us are sent to the unconscious level, but that doesn't mean they don't affect us. Instead, they continue to influence daily life. Defense mechanisms are the forces that attempt to keep undesirable thoughts or memories from surfacing. The id is constantly battling the defense mechanisms because the id is always wanting. The defense mechanisms protect us from anxiety automatically through the ego. Defense mechanisms are normal but, when they get over active, neuroses such as phobia or hysteria develop. .
Some examples of defense mechanisms are repression, denial, projection, and displacement. Repression is employed by the ego to keep disturbing or threatening thoughts from showing. These thoughts are held back mostly because, if they were allowed to show, severe guilt from the superego would occur.