Question

Although Camile has detailed memories of her high school experiences, she remembers very little about the boyfriend who abruptly broke off their marriage engagement. According to psychoanalytic theory, it appears that Camile is using the defense mechanism of ________.

Answer 1

Camile is using the defense mechanism of repression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Repression in psychoanalytic theory explains how an individual subconsciously pushes painful feelings, memory or thoughts out of consciousness.

For Camile, the abrupt break-off of her marriage engagement to her high school boyfriend was a painful experience which she can no longer feel because she has subconsciously pushed the pain out of consciousness.

In other words, Camile is now unaware of the pain. This explains why she has memories of some other high school experiences but remember very little about her boyfriend.