Repression in psychoanalysis terms
Repression
In classical psychoanalytic theory and related depth psychology approaches, repression is considered a fundamental defense mechanism that excludes painful experiences and unacceptable impulses from conscious awareness.
This process operates unconsciously, serving as a protective barrier against anxiety caused by objectionable sexual desires, hostile feelings, and ego-threatening experiences and memories of various kinds.
Repression also plays a role in other defense mechanisms such as denial, where an individual initially attempts to suppress unpleasant realities and, if suppression fails, then denies them. (Compare with suppression.)
(Source: Paraphrased and adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2018)
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