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Ineffective Ways of Handling Stress> Defence Mechanisms of the Ego - Repression

CISCE: Class 12

Introduction

Repression is an unconscious defence mechanism that pushes painful or unacceptable thoughts out of awareness to reduce anxiety.
The repressed material usually involves objectionable, aggressive, or sexual wishes and distressing memories.

CISCE: Class 12

The id demands immediate pleasure, the superego imposes moral rules, and the ego tries to balance both with reality.
When id impulses clash with superego morals and create anxiety, the ego uses repression to block these impulses from consciousness.

CISCE: Class 12

Repression is automatic and unconscious, so the person does not know that forgetting has occurred.
It is especially strong in childhood, and the repressed thoughts remain active in the unconscious and can affect behaviour indirectly.

CISCE: Class 12

Repression protects the person in the short term by reducing anxiety and emotional distress.
Overuse of repression can disturb normal personality functioning and may lead to symptoms such as phobias or irrational fears.

CISCE: Class 12

Classical psychoanalysis saw repression as a central cause of many mental disorders.
Modern psychology accepts unconscious blocking of distressing material but questions how often deep repression occurs in everyday life.

CISCE: Class 12

A person may forget a painful childhood humiliation yet feel anxious in similar situations without knowing why.
Repression is like pushing a balloon underwater, where the balloon is hidden but still present and pressing upward.

CISCE: Class 12

Repression is an unconscious defence mechanism that pushes painful thoughts out of awareness to reduce anxiety.
It occurs when id desires clash with superego morals, and the ego blocks the conflict from consciousness.
Repressed thoughts are forgotten but remain active in the unconscious and can influence behaviour.
While repression reduces stress short-term, overuse may cause personality issues or irrational fears.
Modern psychology accepts unconscious blocking but questions how often deep repression happens in daily life.