Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Internal conflicts refer to the psychological struggle that occurs within an individual when two or more opposing desires, needs, or beliefs are present. These conflicts can create tension and affect an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort experienced when there is a mismatch between one's beliefs, attitudes, or values and their behavior. For example, if someone believes smoking is harmful but continues to smoke, they may experience cognitive dissonance.
Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies used by individuals to cope with anxiety or protect themselves from unpleasant emotions. Examples include repression (unconscious forgetting), denial (refusing to acknowledge reality), and projection (attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts onto others).
Freudian Slip: A Freudian slip is an unintentional error in speech or action that reveals underlying unconscious thoughts or desires. For instance, mistakenly calling your teacher "mom" could indicate unresolved feelings towards your mother.