Which defense mechanism involves pushing unpleasant thoughts out of consciousness?

Repression is a psychological defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously pushes distressing thoughts, memories, or feelings out of their conscious awareness. This mechanism is often employed to protect the person from experiencing anxiety or emotional pain associated with these unpleasant aspects of their psyche. By relegating these thoughts to the unconscious, a person can function in daily life without the disruptive influence of those uncomfortable feelings or memories.

In this context, repression serves as a protective strategy, helping people avoid confronting what may be difficult or overwhelming. It plays a critical role in mental health, as it can help individuals manage their emotional responses in everyday situations. However, it is worth noting that while repression can provide temporary relief from distress, it may lead to complications when unresolved issues resurface later.

The other options involve different defensive strategies. For example, fantasy entails escaping reality by indulging in imaginary scenarios; projection involves attributing one’s own undesirable thoughts or feelings to others; and denial refers to refusing to accept reality or facts that are uncomfortable. Each of these serves different emotional and psychological functions but does not specifically involve the unconscious process of pushing thoughts out of awareness as repression does.