Does Repression Exist? Memory, Pathogenic, Unconscious and Clinical Evidence

Abstract

The current dispute regarding the existence of repression has mainly focused on whether people remember or forget trauma. Repression, however, is a multidimensional construct, which, in addition to the memory aspect, consists of pathogenic effects on adjustment and the unconscious. Accordingly, in order to arrive at a more accurate decision regarding the existence of repression, studies relevant to all three areas are reviewed. Moreover, since psychoanalysis regards repression as a key factor in accounting for the development and treatment of neurotic disorders, relevant research from these two domains are also taken into account. This comprehensive evaluation reveals little empirical justification for maintaining the psychoanalytic concept of repression.

Which Diagnostic Approach Is More Valid? The DSM or the Rational-Choice Theory of Neurosis

“…Since there was no current event that could justify the severe change in the individual's behavior, Freud arrived at the conclusion that they must have been the consequence of repressed childhood trauma or internal conflicts. However, his theoretical system collapsed because of the lack of empirical support for his theoretical assumptions, especially studies that consistently refuted the existence of repression (see a review by Rofé, 2008).…”

“…However, the DSM-III (APA, 1980) decided to exclude neurosis because the task force could not find operational criteria, which would objectively separate these disorders from other behaviors (e.g., Bayer & Spitzer, 1985). In retrospect, this decision seemingly received further support in light of the fact that numerous studies consistently refuted the existence of repression (see reviews by McNally, Clancy, & Barrett, 2004;Piper, Lillevik, & Kritzer, 2008;Rofé, 2008), the "cornerstone on which the whole structure of psychoanalysis rests" (Freud, 1914, p. 16).…”

“…Normal repression refers to socially accepted means of distraction, such as reading or social activities. Contrary to psychoanalysis, normal repressive coping styles enhance adjustments among the non-clinical population (see review by Rofé, 2008). Repression becomes pathological when individuals are faced with stress that exceeds their coping abilities, when normal repression is insufficient for warding off stress-related thoughts.…”

“…According to psychoanalysis, as portrayed in Rofé's (2008) review article, repression is composed of five major components. In addition to the forgetting of trauma (1), psychoanalysis claims that repression exerts pathogenic effects on the individual's daily functioning (2), it assumes the existence of an unconscious entity that may cause dramatic negative behavioral changes (e.g., leg paralysis) (3), it dictates the specific neurotic disorder that patients develop (4), and the lifting of repression is crucial for genuine recovery (5).…”

Fear and Phobia: A Critical Review and the Rational-Choice Theory of Neurosis

“…They also demonstrated that the studies cited in support of psychoanalytic theory suffer from serious methodological flaws. In an attempt to resolve this controversy, Rofé (2008) claimed that psychoanalysis portrays repression as a multidimensional concept, which, aside from claiming that people forget traumas, assumes (1) the existence of the unconscious, which stores the repressed memories and controls their manifestation in the form of neurotic symptoms; (2) that repression has a pathogenic impact on daily activities; (3) that neurotic symptoms are the direct result of the repressed memories; and (4) that recovery is obtained through the lifting of repression. In reviewing relevant literature, none of these components received empirical Essau, 1993).…”