Which defense mechanism occurs when someone hides their feelings and does not acknowledge them?

The correct answer, suppression, refers to the conscious decision to intentionally hide or not acknowledge feelings. When an individual employs suppression as a defense mechanism, they are aware of their emotions but choose to set them aside rather than confront or express them. This mechanism allows individuals to manage their emotional states temporarily, facilitating their ability to function without becoming overwhelmed by their feelings.

For instance, a person may know that they are angry about a situation but choose to focus on work or other tasks instead of dealing with that anger in the moment. While it can be a helpful strategy in the short term, relying too heavily on suppression may lead to unresolved emotional issues that can resurface later.

The other options involve different processes: repression refers to the unconscious blocking of emotions or memories, denial involves refusing to accept reality or facts, and displacement entails redirecting emotions from one object or person to another. Each of these mechanisms operates differently in terms of awareness and the handling of feelings, which underscores why suppression is the correct answer in the context of consciously hiding feelings.