Choosing to stop thinking about distracting or unacceptable ideas is referred to as what?

The correct term for choosing to stop thinking about distracting or unacceptable ideas is suppression. Suppression is a conscious effort to push unwanted thoughts out of one's mind. This mechanism is a voluntary act where an individual recognizes the presence of these ideas but decides to set them aside for the time being.

In contrast, repression refers to an unconscious process where unacceptable thoughts or memories are blocked from conscious awareness. Distraction involves diverting attention away from difficult thoughts or stimuli but does not specifically pertain to the conscious decision to stop thinking about them. Dissociation is a psychological process where an individual feels disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity, often as a coping mechanism in response to trauma or stress, rather than a conscious choice to ignore ideas. Understanding these distinctions is key to recognizing the different ways people manage intrusive thoughts and feelings.