Which of the following is not a defense mechanism?

Esteem is not classified as a defense mechanism within psychological frameworks. Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies employed by individuals to protect themselves from anxiety or distress. They include behaviors like reverting to earlier developmental stages in response to stress (regression), justifying irrational behaviors or thoughts (rationalization), and blocking unwanted thoughts from conscious awareness (repression).

Unlike these, esteem refers to the regard in which a person is held, encompassing feelings of worth and self-respect. It does not serve the protective function associated with defense mechanisms, and thus does not fit within that specific psychological category. Understanding this distinction helps clarify how esteem relates more to self-perception than to the unconscious strategies individuals use to cope with emotional challenges.