Which defense mechanism involves refusing to acknowledge reality due to its threat to the ego?

Denial is a defense mechanism wherein an individual refuses to acknowledge the existence of a reality or a fact that is uncomfortable or threatening to the ego. This mechanism can manifest in various ways, such as failing to accept a significant loss or ignoring severe medical symptoms. By rejecting the perception of reality, a person can avoid emotional distress and anxiety that acknowledging the truth might provoke.

In the context of psychological defense mechanisms, denial serves as a protective barrier that allows individuals to cope with overwhelming feelings or situations. Channeling trauma or distressing information through denial can temporarily shield the ego from psychological harm, although it often leads to further complications if the underlying issues remain unaddressed.

In contrast, repression involves unconsciously blocking out disturbing thoughts and impulses, projection attributes one’s own unacceptable feelings to others, and displacement redirects emotional responses from the source of distress to a safer target. Each mechanism has distinct characteristics, but denial specifically focuses on the refusal to accept reality as it is, making it the correct response to this question.