Repression
/rɪˈprɛʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of controlling or subduing something by force; the act of keeping something, especially an emotion or desire, under control.
/rɪˈprɛʃən/
The act of subduing by force.
The government used repression to silence dissent.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a strong feeling you don't want anyone to see, so you try to hide it or push it down inside. That hiding is like repression! For example, if you're really, really angry but you smile and act calm because you're at a party, you're repressing your anger. Or if the government stops people from protesting, that's repression too.
👶 For kids: When you try to stop something from happening, like when you hide your feelings or when the police stop a protest.
More Examples
Repression of feelings can lead to mental health problems.
The country's history is marked by periods of repression.
How It's Used
"The government's repression of the protests led to international condemnation."
"Repression of traumatic memories can have long-lasting psychological effects."
(Psychology) The process of forcing or driving a thought, feeling, or memory out of conscious awareness and into the unconscious, where it can no longer be accessed directly.
/rɪˈprɛʃən/
The act of forcing a thought or feeling into the unconscious.
She believed that repression of early childhood trauma was the cause of her anxiety.
💡 Simply: Sometimes our brains try to 'forget' bad or scary things by pushing them down deep where we can't easily remember them. This is called repression. It's like hiding a toy under your bed so you don't have to look at it right now, even if it's still there.
👶 For kids: When your brain tries to forget something sad or scary by hiding it away so you don't have to think about it.
More Examples
The psychoanalyst explored the patient's repressed memories.
Repression is often seen as a defense mechanism against painful experiences.
How It's Used
"Repression is a key concept in psychoanalytic theory, where it is believed to be a defense mechanism."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Thought repression
The conscious or unconscious blocking of unwanted thoughts.
"Thought repression is a common defense mechanism against anxiety."
Emotional repression
The act of suppressing or inhibiting the expression of one's feelings.
"Emotional repression can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety."
From Latin repressio, meaning 'a pressing back' or 'a restraint.' It entered English in the 16th century, initially with a broader meaning of restraint or suppression.
Historically, the term was used in political contexts, referencing the suppression of political opponents or uprisings. It then gained usage in psychology during the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of pressing down and keeping something from rising, like a lid on a pot.