Repression definition

In psychology, repression refers to a refusal to keep potentially distressing ideas in mind. As a result of this repression, the ideas are submerged in the unconscious, from where they may continue to influence behavior.

Repression was postulated by Freud, and one function of psychoanalysis is to try and uncover repressed memories and help the patient deal with -- rather than repressing -- this disturbing information.

Further reading:

• Memory News: Forget It Like Freud

by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain