Unleash Your Inner Social Worker: Master the SWES Human Behavior Exam 2025!

The term that accurately describes a form of ventilation used to bring repressed material into consciousness is catharsis. Catharsis refers to the process of expressing and releasing strong emotions that have been repressed or hidden, allowing individuals to confront these feelings and gain insight into their psychological state. This emotional release can lead to a sense of relief and can be integral in therapeutic settings where understanding and processing past traumas or repressed thoughts can facilitate healing.

In contrast, psychoanalysis is the broader therapeutic approach developed by Sigmund Freud that includes various techniques, including free association and dream analysis, aimed at uncovering unconscious thoughts but does not specifically focus on the act of releasing repressed emotions. Hypnosis refers to a trance-like state induced by a professional that can sometimes facilitate access to repressed memories, but it is not primarily characterized as a method of ventilation. Repression itself is the psychological defense mechanism that involves consciously blocking unpleasant thoughts, memories, or feelings rather than a technique for accessing them. Thus, catharsis is the definitive process aimed at bringing repressed material to consciousness through emotional expression.