Final answer:
An idea becomes conscious when its elements are integrated. Integration allows for conscious reflection, whereas repression pushes thoughts into the unconscious where they still affect behavior, but without direct awareness.
Step-by-step explanation:
An idea becomes conscious to us when the various elements become integrated. The process of becoming aware of thoughts, feelings, and memories implies the unison of these elements into a coherent concept that we can access and reflect upon deliberately.
In the context of Sigmund Freud's theories, our conscious mind represents only a small portion of our mental activity — akin to the visible tip of an iceberg, while much of our thinking and feeling is hidden in the unconscious. Freud believed that anxiety-causing memories or unacceptable urges are repressed, meaning they are pushed out of conscious awareness into our unconscious.
These repressed memories and urges can indirectly influence our behavior and cause inner conflicts. Therefore, integration is key to bringing ideas into the conscious mind, where they can be addressed and managed.