What does the psychological term 'regression' refer to?

The term 'regression' in psychology refers to a defense mechanism where an individual reverts to behaviors characteristic of an earlier developmental stage in response to stress or anxiety. This can manifest as childish behaviors, such as sulking or throwing tantrums, which one might typically associate with younger individuals. Regression is often seen in various contexts, such as children who revert to bedwetting when a new sibling is born, or adults who may display childlike behaviors when faced with overwhelming situations.

This mechanism allows individuals to cope with their current stressors by retreating to a time when they felt safer and more secure. The behaviors seen in regression are often unconscious responses to perceived threats or situations that individuals feel ill-equipped to handle based on their current developmental stage. Consequently, while some of the other options could reference different psychological concepts or stages of development, they do not accurately capture the essence of what regression means within the context of psychological defense mechanisms.