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The effects of repeated thought suppression attempts on thought occurrence

Hooper, Nic; Mchugh, Louise

Authors

Nic Hooper Nic.Hooper@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Louise Mchugh



Abstract

In the thought suppression literature the completion of one suppression and one expression phase is called an indulgence cycle. The current study aimed to determine the effects on thought frequency of entering multiple indulgence cycles. Participants were assigned to one of two groups. The repeated suppression group was required to complete 3 suppression and 3 think free phases in alternating fashion. The suppress think free group was required to complete 1 suppression phase before entering 5 think free phases. Participants pressed a spacebar to report each unwanted target thought occurrence. Participants in the repeated suppression group experienced maintenance of the number of unwanted thought intrusions in both suppression and think free phases, whereas those in the suppress think free group experienced a significant decline in target thought occurrence. The maintenance effect of engaging in repeated suppression attempts is discussed. © 2013 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Citation

Hooper, N., & Mchugh, L. (2013). The effects of repeated thought suppression attempts on thought occurrence. American Journal of Psychology, 126(3), 315-322. https://doi.org/10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.3.0315

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Sep 27, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal American Journal of Psychology
Print ISSN 0002-9556
Publisher University of Illinois Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 126
Issue 3
Pages 315-322
DOI https://doi.org/10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.3.0315
Keywords repeated thought suppression
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/938595
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.3.0315