Repression vs. Suppression — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
"Repression" refers to the unconscious exclusion of painful memories or feelings, while "Suppression" is the conscious act of controlling or halting unwanted actions or feelings.
Difference Between Repression and Suppression
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Key Differences
"Repression" and "Suppression" are two terms frequently utilized in psychology and general discourse, but they serve different functions. At its core, Repression is an unconscious mechanism employed by the psyche to keep disturbing or unacceptable thoughts and memories out of consciousness. It acts like a filter, preventing certain distressing memories from entering our active awareness. Suppression, conversely, is a conscious choice to avoid or not dwell on certain thoughts or feelings.
Consider a traumatic event from one's past. If a person doesn't remember this event at all due to its distressing nature, they've likely undergone Repression. However, if they're fully aware of this memory but actively choose not to think about it, they're employing Suppression. Both mechanisms aim to protect the individual from discomfort, but one operates without the individual's conscious knowledge, while the other is a deliberate act.
In the broader sense, beyond individual psychology, Repression can refer to the act by which certain groups, ideas, or expressions are kept down by force, as seen in political contexts. Here, it often intersects with Suppression, which can be seen as the deliberate act to halt or control unwanted activities or groups. Governments might employ both strategies to control dissent: Repression by erasing historical events, and Suppression by actively preventing protests.
In summary, while both Repression and Suppression have their roots in avoiding or limiting certain actions, feelings, or memories, the distinction lies in the conscious versus unconscious nature of these mechanisms. Recognizing the difference is crucial, especially in therapeutic settings, to address the root of certain behaviors or feelings.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Unconscious
Conscious
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In Psychology
Forgetting distressing memories
Actively avoiding certain thoughts or feelings
Usage
Used for memories and feelings
Used for actions, thoughts, and feelings
In Broader Context
Act of keeping down by force
Act of halting or controlling unwanted activities
Outcome
Often results in unawareness
Results in deliberate avoidance
Compare with Definitions
Repression
A mechanism to avoid discomfort.
Her Repression of childhood trauma hindered her adult relationships.
Suppression
The act of ending something by force.
The Suppression of the rebellion was swift and brutal.
Repression
The unconscious exclusion of distressing memories.
After the accident, his Repression of the event was so deep he couldn't recall it.
Suppression
The act of preventing dissemination.
The government's Suppression of the news alarmed journalists.
Repression
The action of pushing something down.
The Repression of her ambitions left her unfulfilled.
Suppression
The action of suppressing something such as an activity or publication
The heavy-handed suppression of political dissent
Repression
Preventing the natural expression of something.
The Repression of his emotions made him seem cold.
Suppression
The act of suppressing.
Repression
The act of subduing someone by force.
The dictator's Repression of the citizens led to an uprising.
Suppression
The state of being suppressed.
Repression
The act of repressing or the state of being repressed.
Suppression
(Psychiatry) Conscious exclusion of unacceptable desires, thoughts, or memories from the mind.
Repression
(Psychology) The unconscious exclusion of painful impulses, desires, or fears from the conscious mind.
Suppression
(Botany) The failure of an organ or part to develop.
Repression
The act of repressing; state of being repressed.
History shows that when governments fear the truth and increase repression, their days are limited.
Suppression
(Genetics) The inhibition of gene expression.
Repression
The involuntary rejection from consciousness of painful or disagreeable ideas, memories, feelings, or impulses.
Suppression
The act or instance of suppressing.
Repression
The act of repressing, or state of being repressed; as, the repression of evil and evil doers.
Suppression
The state of being suppressed.
Repression
That which represses; check; restraint.
Suppression
(psychology) A process in which a person consciously excludes anxiety-producing thoughts, feelings, or memories.
Repression
A state of forcible subjugation;
The long repression of Christian sects
Suppression
(military) The entirety of acts aimed at stopping or preventing the enemy to execute such unwanted activities like firing, regrouping, observation or others.
Repression
(psychiatry) the classical defense mechanism that protects you from impulses or ideas that would cause anxiety by preventing them from becoming conscious
Suppression
(of an eye) A subconscious adaptation by a person's brain to eliminate the symptoms of disorders of binocular vision such as strabismus, convergence insufficiency and aniseikonia.
Repression
The act of repressing; control by holding down;
His goal was the repression of insolence
Suppression
The act of suppressing, or the state of being suppressed; repression; as, the suppression of a riot, insurrection, or tumult; the suppression of truth, of reports, of evidence, and the like.
Suppression
Complete stoppage of a natural secretion or excretion; as, suppression of urine; - used in contradiction to retention, which signifies that the secretion or excretion is retained without expulsion.
Suppression
Omission; as, the suppression of a word.
Suppression
(botany) the failure to develop of some part or organ of a plant
Suppression
The act of withholding or withdrawing some book or writing from publication or circulation;
A suppression of the newspaper
Suppression
Forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority;
The suppression of heresy
The quelling of the rebellion
The stifling of all dissent
Suppression
(psychology) the conscious exclusion of unacceptable thoughts or desires
Suppression
A conscious effort to control unwanted impulses.
Through meditation, he learned the Suppression of anger.
Suppression
Halting the natural process or expression of.
The Suppression of his laughter drew curious looks.
Suppression
The restraint of a physiological process.
The drug led to the Suppression of appetite, aiding weight loss.
Common Curiosities
Are "Repression" and "Suppression" interchangeable?
No, "Repression" is unconscious, while "Suppression" is conscious.
How do repressed emotions affect behavior?
They can lead to unexplained anxiety, phobias, or dysfunctional behaviors.
Can Suppression be beneficial?
Temporarily, yes, especially if expressing emotions is inappropriate or harmful.
What does it mean when traumatic memories are repressed?
It means the memories are unconsciously excluded and may not be remembered.
If I choose not to think about a painful event, what am I doing?
You are engaging in Suppression.
Can "Repression" be used in a political context?
Yes, it can refer to forcefully keeping certain groups or ideas down.
How does a government suppress dissent?
Through active prevention, like halting protests or controlling media.
If someone is controlling their impulses, what term describes this?
This is termed as Suppression.
Which term, Repression or Suppression, is used in therapeutic settings?
Both are used, but it's crucial to differentiate them for accurate treatment.
Can repressed memories resurface?
Yes, they can, sometimes spontaneously or through therapy.
Which is more immediate, Repression or Suppression?
Suppression is immediate as it's conscious, while Repression is a deeper process.
Is suppressing emotions harmful?
Constant Suppression can lead to psychological stress or physical ailments.
Do both terms come from the Latin word for "press"?
Yes, both derive from the Latin "press," indicating a pushing down action.
Is Repression always unconscious?
Typically, yes, it's an unconscious defense mechanism.
Are there other defense mechanisms like Repression and Suppression?
Yes, other mechanisms include denial, projection, and rationalization, among others.
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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.
Edited 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.
