What is repression in the context of Freudian psychology?

Repression, according to Freudian psychology, refers to the unconscious process by which individuals push distressing thoughts, memories, or drives out of conscious awareness. This process serves to protect the individual from anxiety and emotional pain that these thoughts or feelings may cause. By excluding these potentially harmful drives from consciousness, repression allows individuals to function without being overwhelmed by their internal conflicts or unacceptable impulses.

This concept is central to Freud's theory of the mind, where the unconscious plays a vital role in influencing behavior and emotional responses. The repressed material can resurface in various ways, such as through dreams or slips of the tongue, highlighting its influence even when it is not accessible to conscious thought.

In contrast to the correct answer, other options do not accurately represent the concept of repression as Freud defined it. Conscious awareness of drives, adaptation to social norms, or defense against external conflict do not encapsulate the unconscious and often involuntary nature of repressing deeply troubling thoughts or feelings as emphasized in Freudian theory.