Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

What does repression refer to in psychological terms?

1. The voluntary acknowledgment of feelings

2. The conscious awareness of experiences

3. The involuntary removal of threatening thoughts

4. The suppression of happy memories

The correct answer is: The involuntary removal of threatening thoughts

Repression in psychological terms refers to the involuntary removal of threatening thoughts or memories from conscious awareness. This defense mechanism, as conceptualized by Freudian psychoanalysis, occurs when an individual unconsciously pushes distressing emotions or thoughts away to avoid anxiety or emotional pain. This process can often relate to experiences that are too traumatic or troubling for an individual to handle, leading to those memories or feelings being inaccessible in everyday thought. As a result, while the individual may not be aware of these repressed thoughts, they can still influence behavior and feelings in significant ways. Understanding repression is crucial in addiction counseling, as clients might deny or push away the underlying issues contributing to their substance use. Effective therapeutic approaches often require helping clients become aware of these repressed feelings so they can work through them in a supportive environment. In contrast, the voluntary acknowledgment of feelings, conscious awareness of experiences, and suppression of happy memories do not align with the definition of repression. Repression specifically deals with the unconscious process that shields a person from distress, whereas the other options suggest a more active or conscious approach to dealing with emotions and memories.