Wallaert M, Ward A, Mann T. Taming the white bear: Lowering reactance pressures enhances thought suppression.
PLoS One 2023;
18:e0282197. [PMID:
36862661 PMCID:
PMC9980806 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0282197]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals fail to suppress certain thoughts, especially under conditions that tax cognitive resources. We investigated the impact of modifying psychological reactance pressures on thought suppression attempts. Participants were asked to suppress thoughts of a target item under standard experimental conditions or under conditions designed to lower reactance pressures. In the presence of high cognitive load, weakening associated reactance pressures resulted in greater success at suppression. The results suggest that reducing relevant motivational pressures can facilitate thought suppression, even when an individual experiences cognitive limitation.
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