Final answer:
Repression is the term for when an individual subconsciously avoids discussing or revealing certain memories, thoughts, or motives due to their potentially anxiety-inducing nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for an inability or unwillingness to discuss or reveal particular memories, thoughts, or motivations is known as repression. Repression is a defense mechanism first proposed by Sigmund Freud, suggesting that anxiety-causing memories are blocked from the conscious mind. Like turning up the radio to drown out a car's strange noises, our psyche can repress memories too overwhelming to deal with, inadvertently removing them from our conscious awareness. These repressed memories may then manifest as symptoms in other areas of our lives. It is important to note that the concept of repressed memories is controversial, with some researchers arguing their existence and others pointing out the potential for false memories to be created through suggestion.