An example of a psychoanalytic personality theory is Sigmund Freud's ideas about defense mechanisms. These defense mechanisms were proposed to keep unacceptable material out of awareness (to reduce anxiety). They were thought to operate an unconscious level. In other words, people would not be aware that they were using the defense mechanisms.
Defense Mechanism Examples
In Freud's theory, there are a number of defense mechanisms. Below are some examples (I have only provide an example for some of the defense mechanisms):
Denial Defense Mechanism Example: A person who gets fired from a job denies that he or she failed to meet job performance standards.
Projection Defense Mechanism Example: A person who is rude to his or her coworkers complains that his or her coworkers are rude to him or her.
Repression Defense Mechanism Example: A person who had a car accident may forget that the accident occurred.