Final answer:
Repressed memories are traumatic experiences pushed out of consciousness, thought to be a defense mechanism to protect individuals from overwhelming events. This concept, originating from Freud, is debated, with some suggesting it aids in coping with trauma, while others argue it can lead to false memories.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traumatic experiences that are thought to be pushed out of consciousness are often referred to as repressed memories. The concept of repressed memories is one where, as a defense mechanism, anxiety-causing memories are excluded from conscious awareness. This idea, dating back to Sigmund Freud, suggests that the mind can involuntarily suppress memories that are too overwhelming to handle, much like turning up the radio to drown out the noise of a car that needs repairing. Despite the support from some clinicians and researchers who deal with cases of recovered memories of childhood abuse, skeptics like Elizabeth Loftus challenge the validity of these recovered memories, highlighting the potential for memory distortion and the creation of false memories.
It is essential to distinguish between repressed memories and implicit memories, which are long-term memories not within our conscious awareness that influence our behavior. This complex understanding of memory lays the foundation for potential treatments for disorders, such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, where recollection of traumatic events can be debilitating.