According to the psychodynamic perspective, which component of personality primarily uses defense mechanisms, and for what purpose?

• A. All components of personality use defense mechanisms equally to maintain psychological balance.
• B. The superego uses defense mechanisms to enforce moral standards and punish the ego.
• C. The id uses defense mechanisms to satisfy its instinctual desires without restriction.
• D. The ego uses defense mechanisms to manage anxiety caused by conflicts between the id and superego.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the three components of personality according to the psychodynamic perspective: the id, ego, and superego.
2. Recognize that the id represents instinctual desires, the superego represents moral standards, and the ego mediates between these two.
3. Identify that defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used to reduce anxiety and manage internal conflict.
4. Know that the ego primarily employs defense mechanisms to protect the individual from anxiety caused by the conflicting demands of the id and superego.
5. Conclude that the ego uses defense mechanisms to maintain psychological balance by managing these internal conflicts.