Repression vs. Suppress — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
Repression involves unconsciously blocking unacceptable thoughts or desires. Suppression is the conscious act of deliberately holding back or restraining something.
Difference Between Repression and Suppress
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Repression is a psychological process where an individual unconsciously blocks uncomfortable or unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or desires from conscious awareness. It is a defense mechanism aimed at protecting the individual from anxiety or emotional distress. Suppression, on the other hand, is a deliberate, conscious effort to control, restrain, or hold back thoughts, emotions, or actions.
Repression often occurs without the individual's awareness, making it a more automatic and involuntary process. It is deeply embedded in the subconscious and can influence behavior in subtle ways. Suppression is a voluntary action, taken with full awareness and control, typically in response to social or situational demands.
Repression can lead to psychological issues if the repressed material surfaces inappropriately, such as through dreams or slips of the tongue. Suppression is generally seen as a temporary solution, allowing individuals to manage their immediate emotional responses and behavior until they can address the underlying issue appropriately.
In psychological theory, repression is a key concept in psychoanalysis, especially in the work of Sigmund Freud. Suppression is a concept used in cognitive and behavioral approaches to understand how people manage their emotions and impulses.
Comparison Chart
Awareness
Unconscious
Conscious
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Control
Involuntary
Voluntary
Process
Automatic blocking of thoughts/feelings
Deliberate holding back of thoughts/actions
Psychological Impact
Can cause long-term issues if unresolved
Usually a temporary measure
Usage Context
Psychoanalysis and defense mechanisms
Cognitive and behavioral approaches
Compare with Definitions
Repression
The unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts or desires.
She repressed her childhood trauma, unable to recall the events.
Suppress
Voluntary and controlled process.
Suppression of laughter was necessary during the solemn event.
Repression
Can influence behavior indirectly.
Repressed anger often manifests as passive-aggressive behavior.
Suppress
Used to manage immediate emotional responses.
Suppressing anxiety helped her focus on the task.
Repression
A defense mechanism to protect from anxiety or distress.
His repressed fears emerged in his dreams.
Suppress
The conscious act of holding back thoughts or emotions.
She suppressed her irritation during the meeting.
Repression
Involuntary and automatic psychological process.
Repression of guilt led to his constant unease.
Suppress
Temporary measure to cope with situations.
He suppressed his grief to continue working.
Repression
Keeps distressing memories out of conscious awareness.
The repression of painful memories can impact mental health.
Suppress
To put an end to forcibly; subdue
Suppress a rebellion. See Usage Note at repress.
Repression
The act of repressing or the state of being repressed.
Suppress
To curtail or prohibit the activities of
Suppress dissident groups.
Repression
(Psychology) The unconscious exclusion of painful impulses, desires, or fears from the conscious mind.
Suppress
To keep from being revealed, published, or circulated
Suppress evidence.
Suppress a film.
Repression
The act of repressing; state of being repressed.
History shows that when governments fear the truth and increase repression, their days are limited.
Suppress
To deliberately exclude (unacceptable desires or thoughts) from the mind.
Repression
The involuntary rejection from consciousness of painful or disagreeable ideas, memories, feelings, or impulses.
Suppress
To inhibit the expression of
Suppress anger.
Suppress a smile.
Repression
The act of repressing, or state of being repressed; as, the repression of evil and evil doers.
Suppress
To restrain the growth, activity, or release of
Suppress a virus.
Suppress a hemorrhage.
Repression
That which represses; check; restraint.
Suppress
To inhibit the expression of (a gene)
Suppress a mutation.
Repression
A state of forcible subjugation;
The long repression of Christian sects
Suppress
To put an end to, especially with force, to crush, do away with; to prohibit, subdue.
Political dissent was brutally suppressed.
Repression
(psychiatry) the classical defense mechanism that protects you from impulses or ideas that would cause anxiety by preventing them from becoming conscious
Suppress
To restrain or repress, such as laughter or an expression.
I struggled to suppress my smile.
Repression
The act of repressing; control by holding down;
His goal was the repression of insolence
Suppress
(psychiatry) To exclude undesirable thoughts from one's mind.
He unconsciously suppressed his memories of abuse.
Suppress
To prevent publication.
The government suppressed the findings of their research about the true state of the economy.
Suppress
To stop a flow or stream.
The rescue team managed to suppress the flow of oil by blasting the drilling hole.
Hot blackcurrant juice mixed with honey may suppress cough.
Suppress
To forbid the use of evidence at trial because it is improper or was improperly obtained.
Suppress
(electronics) To reduce unwanted frequencies in a signal.
Suppress
(military) To stop or prevent the enemy from executing unwanted activities like firing, regrouping, observation or others.
Suppress
(obsolete) To hold in place, to keep low.
Suppress
To overpower and crush; to subdue; to put down; to quell.
Every rebellion, when it is suppressed, doth make the subject weaker, and the prince stronger.
Suppress
To keep in; to restrain from utterance or vent; as, to suppress the voice; to suppress a smile.
Suppress
To retain without disclosure; to conceal; not to reveal; to prevent publication of; as, to suppress evidence; to suppress a pamphlet; to suppress the truth.
She suppresses the name, and this keeps him in a pleasing suspense.
Suppress
To stop; to restrain; to arrest the discharges of; as, to suppress a diarrhea, or a hemorrhage.
Suppress
To put down by force or authority;
Suppress a nascent uprising
Stamp down on littering
Conquer one's desires
Suppress
Come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority;
The government oppresses political activists
Suppress
Control and refrain from showing; of emotions
Suppress
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Suppress
Put out of one's consciousness
Suppress
A deliberate effort to control one's impulses.
He suppressed his desire to argue to keep the peace.
Common Curiosities
How do repression and suppression differ in awareness?
Repression is unconscious, while suppression is a conscious process.
Is repression voluntary or involuntary?
Repression is involuntary and automatic.
Is suppression voluntary or involuntary?
Suppression is voluntary and deliberate.
What is repression?
Repression is the unconscious blocking of uncomfortable or unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or desires.
Can repression cause psychological issues?
Yes, repressed thoughts and feelings can lead to psychological problems if not addressed.
How does repression affect behavior?
Repression can influence behavior indirectly, often without the individual's awareness.
What is suppression?
Suppression is the conscious effort to hold back or restrain thoughts, emotions, or actions.
Is suppression a long-term solution?
No, suppression is usually a temporary measure to manage immediate responses.
How does suppression affect behavior?
Suppression directly controls behavior by consciously holding back certain responses.
Can repression occur without the person knowing?
Yes, repression occurs unconsciously, so the person is not aware of it.
Which concept is key in psychoanalysis?
Repression is a central concept in psychoanalysis.
Which concept is used in cognitive and behavioral approaches?
Suppression is often discussed in cognitive and behavioral contexts.
Is suppression always beneficial?
Suppression can be beneficial in the short term, but over-reliance on it can prevent addressing underlying issues.
Is repression always harmful?
Not necessarily, but unresolved repression can lead to psychological issues.
Can suppression be a coping mechanism?
Yes, suppression can be a coping mechanism to handle immediate emotional responses.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
