Read the following scenario. Based on the principle that unconscious material can influence conscious experience and behavior, provide the most likely psychological explanation for the patient's primary symptom.

Case Analysis: Unexplained Phobia

A client reports a sudden, intense, and irrational fear of dogs. They have no conscious memory of ever having a negative experience with a dog. The fear is so severe that they experience panic attacks when they see one, which significantly impacts their daily life. The client cannot logically explain the origin of this intense emotional reaction. From a theoretical perspective that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior, how would this unexplained symptom likely be explained?

Interpreting an Unexplained Phobia

According to Freudian theory, memories that are repressed and removed from conscious awareness do not simply disappear. They can continue to exert influence and may manifest as psychological or physical symptoms in other aspects of an individual's life.

Google

Repression is a defense mechanism where anxiety-causing or overwhelming memories and thoughts are unconsciously blocked from entering conscious awareness. This process removes distressing information from the psyche, although the repressed memory may continue to influence an individual by causing symptoms in other areas.

Repression

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

What is the primary function of repression as a defense mechanism?

Which of the following best describes the concept of repression in psychology?

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of repression?

Which of the following is an example of repression as a defense mechanism?

An example of repression is when LaShea is unable to recall the memory of her grandfather's fatal heart attack, even though she was present when it happened.

Example of Repression

An analogy for repression can be seen in a person who has a car making a strange noise. Lacking the money for repairs, the person turns up the radio to drown out the sound, eventually forgetting about it. This is similar to how the human psyche might block an overwhelming memory from conscious awareness.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After