What is repression in psychological terms?

Repression in psychological terms refers to the defense mechanism by which individuals push distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings out of conscious awareness. This process occurs unconsciously, meaning that the individual is not actively aware that they are forgetting or blocking these memories. Repression is often associated with traumatic experiences, where it can serve as a way to protect the mind from the emotional pain that accompanies those memories. By keeping these distressing elements out of conscious thought, an individual can avoid the anxiety that may arise from confronting them directly.

In contrast, the other options describe different psychological processes. Accepting unpleasant truths involves recognizing and dealing with problems, which is opposite to the nature of repression. Forgetting certain types of memories may happen, but this alone doesn’t encompass the active process and the emotional intricacies involved in repression. Reinterpreting negative experiences involves changing the meaning or perspective on an event, which is a form of cognitive restructuring rather than the unconscious avoidance characteristic of repression.