Which psychological defense mechanism involves pretending to forget unpleasant events?

The defense mechanism that involves pretending to forget unpleasant events is repression. Repression is an unconscious process in which individuals push distressing thoughts, memories, or feelings out of their conscious awareness. This mechanism serves to shield individuals from anxiety and emotional pain associated with these unpleasant experiences. By not allowing these memories to surface, people may believe they have 'forgotten' them, even though they may still significantly influence behavior and emotions unconsciously.

Denial, while also a defense mechanism, typically involves outright refusal to accept the reality of a situation rather than forgetting it. Rationalization involves providing logical explanations for behaviors or feelings that may be unacceptable, thus maintaining self-esteem without genuinely disclaiming the feelings. Displacement is a mechanism where emotions are redirected from the original source of distress to a less threatening target. In contrast to these mechanisms, repression specifically centers on the unconscious effort to forget distressing events.