Don’t Fight The Thought
Intrusive thoughts can be problematic if they are resisted. Psychologist Daniel Wegner coined the term ‘ironic process’, where the attempt to suppress certain thoughts gives them more power.
Example: If we try very hard not to think of a pink elephant, the image of a pink elephant keeps forming in our minds.
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The Ironic Process Theory
- It is the psychological process where a person tries to suppress certain thoughts but ironically ends up thinking about them instead.
- It was first explored by Daniel Wegner in 1987.
- Also known as the ironic rebound and the white bear problem
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