Analysis of the Efficacy of Different Thought Supression Strategies [Análisis de la Eficacia de Distintas Estrategias de Supresión del Pensamiento]

Volume 7 Num. 3 - November 2007 - Pages 335-345

Authors:

Juan Vicente Luciano and Salvador Algarabel González

Abstract:

Some researches have demonstrated that when one wants to suppress a thought, it is paradoxically the first thing that comes to mind. However, subsequent studies on this topic have pointed out that successful thought suppression depends on the specific strategy employed to deal with the unwanted thought. The present study examined the impact of different thought suppression instructions on the frequency and appraisals of memories
about the March 11 attacks that took place in 2004 in Madrid. Thus, 120 undergraduates were randomly allocated to the following experimental conditions: thought suppression, thought suppression with focused distraction, thought suppression confronting a reminder, and monitor-only. Data analysis showed an absence of paradoxical effects, that is, neither immediate nor delayed frequency increases of the target thought. Furthermore, those participants instructed to use focused distraction reported less intrusions than those from the control condition at short and long-term. Finally, the results are discussed in relation to previous studies on thought control.

Key words:

Thought suppression, Intrusive thoughts, Paradoxical effects, Mental control.

Full Article

English

More articles in this volume

• - El Aprendizaje de Conceptos de Comparación, Seriación y Clasificación en Personas con Retraso Mental [Learning of Comparison, Seriation and Classification Concepts in Children with Mental Disability]
• - Condicionamiento de Lugar en Ratas y Etanol [Place Conditioning in Rats and Ethanol]
• - Towards Alternative Criteria for the Validation of Psychological Treatments [Hacia unos Criterios Alternativos para la Validación de los Tratamientos Psicológicos]
• - Identificación Organizacional y Ruptura de Contrato Psicológico: sus Influencias sobre la Satisfacción de los Empleados [Organizational Identification and Psychological Contract Breach: its Influence on Employees' Job Satisfaction]
• - Factors that Affect Decision Making: Gender and Age Differences [Factores que Afectan la Toma de Decisiones: Diferencias por Sexo y Edad]
• - Creencias Relacionadas con la Hipertensión y Adherencia a los Diferentes Componentes del Tratamiento [Hypertension Beliefs and Treatment Adherence]
• - Creencias en Salud en Preadolescentes con Diabetes Tipo 1 [Health Beliefs in Type 1 Diabetes Teenagers]