Which mechanism is specifically about keeping distressing memories out of conscious awareness?

Which mechanism is specifically about keeping distressing memories out of conscious awareness?

• A. Repression
• B. Denial
• C. Projection
• D. Sublimation

Answer: (A)

Repression is a defense mechanism in which distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings are pushed out of conscious awareness. It operates unconsciously, so the person may not even realize they’ve pushed the memory away, helping to shield them from anxiety. For example, someone who experienced a traumatic event might later have little or no recall of the details. Denial involves refusing to accept reality or facts, which can keep someone from acknowledging the distress but doesn’t necessarily remove the memory from consciousness. Projection is about attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to someone else, and sublimation redirects impulses into socially acceptable outlets. So the mechanism that specifically keeps troubling memories out of conscious awareness is repression.

Repression is a defense mechanism in which distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings are pushed out of conscious awareness. It operates unconsciously, so the person may not even realize they’ve pushed the memory away, helping to shield them from anxiety. For example, someone who experienced a traumatic event might later have little or no recall of the details. Denial involves refusing to accept reality or facts, which can keep someone from acknowledging the distress but doesn’t necessarily remove the memory from consciousness. Projection is about attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts to someone else, and sublimation redirects impulses into socially acceptable outlets. So the mechanism that specifically keeps troubling memories out of conscious awareness is repression.