scholarly journals Mechanisms underlying effective thought suppression using focused-distraction strategies: A self-determination theory approach

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deming Wang ◽  
Nikos chatzisarantis ◽  
Martin S Hagger
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Psychological Need ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
Ironic Process Theory ◽  
Ironic Process ◽  
Ironic Effects

Research has shown that thought suppression is not an ideal mental control strategy as it can ironically increase intrusions and accessibility of unwanted thought. Although focused-distraction has been shown as an effective strategy in mitigating such ironic effects, mixed findings have rendered this evidence inconclusive. In the present study, we sought to resolve this inconsistency by examining variables related to distractor content as mechanisms for effective thought suppression, an aspect yet to be examined. Building on ironic process theory and self-determination theory, the current study predicted that distractors associated with fulfilment of the psychological need for competence would improve thought suppression outcomes because they would be satisfying and immersive to think about. We asked 93 undergraduate students to engage in a thought suppression task and examined the influence of perceived satisfaction and immersion of distractors as mechanisms mitigating ironic effects of thought suppression. Results supported our predictions. In addition, they suggested that our predicted relationships persisted after controlling for effects of focused-distraction strategies that focused participants’ attention on a neutral object and distractors reflecting the attainment of the extrinsic goal of financial success. This allows us to eliminate the alternative explanations that need-supportive distractors are effective as a result of the focused-distraction strategy in general, or due to its pleasant and personally relevant content. Findings suggest that effectiveness of focused-distraction in thought suppression can be augmented by using satisfying and immersive distractors, such as those with need-supportive content.

scholarly journals Why distractors with need-supportive content can mitigate ironic effects of thought suppression

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deming Wang ◽  
Martin S Hagger ◽  
Nikos chatzisarantis
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Psychological Need ◽  
Effective Suppression ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction ◽  
Ironic Effects ◽  
Unwanted Thoughts

Thought suppression is a self-regulatory strategy commonly used to avoid unwanted thoughts although it can ironically make unwanted thoughts more intrusive and accessible. To reduce these ironic effects, it is important to explore mechanisms underlying effective suppression. The present study recruited 126 undergraduate students and examined the influence of distractor content on suppression outcomes by examining perceived satisfaction and immersion of distractors as mechanisms of effective suppression. Based on self-determination theory, we proposed that distractors associated with the satisfaction of the psychological need for autonomy would mitigate ironic effects of thought suppression because they would be perceived as satisfying and immersive. Results showed that need-supportive distractors reduced intrusion frequency because they were indeed perceived as more satisfying. Our findings also point towards the unique satisfying properties of distractors involving psychological need satisfaction because effects of single, pleasant and personally relevant distractors have been controlled for. Findings are discussed using Wegner’s (1994) theories of thought suppression and principles of self-determination theory.

scholarly journals Ironic Effects of Thought Suppression: A Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deming Wang ◽  
Martin S Hagger ◽  
Nikos Chatzisarantis
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Ironic Process Theory ◽  
Ironic Process ◽  
Ironic Effects ◽  
Future Thought

The ironic effect of thought suppression refers to the phenomenon in which individuals trying to rid their mind of a target thought ironically experience greater levels of occurrence and accessibility of the thought compared to individuals that deliberately concentrate on the thought (Wegner, 1994). Ironic effects occurring after thought suppression, also known as rebound effects, have been consistently detected by previous meta-analyses. However, ironic effects that occur during thought suppression, also known as immediate enhancement effects, have been found to be largely absent. In the current meta-analysis, we test Wegner’s original proposition that detection of immediate enhancement effects is dependent on the cognitive load experienced by individuals when enacting thought suppression. Given that thought suppression is an effortful cognitive process, it is proposed that the introduction of additional cognitive load would compete for the allocation of existing cognitive resources and impair capacity for thought suppression. Studies (k = 31) consistent with Wegner’s original thought suppression paradigm were analysed. Consistent with our predictions, rebound effects were observed regardless of cognitive load while immediate enhancement effects were only observed in the presence of cognitive load. Implications are discussed in light of ironic process theory and suggestions for future thought suppression research provided.

scholarly journals Ironic Effects of Thought Suppression: A Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 778-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deming (Adam) Wang ◽  
Martin S. Hagger ◽  
Nikos L. D. Chatzisarantis
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Rebound Effects ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Ironic Process Theory ◽  
Ironic Process ◽  
Ironic Effects ◽  
Future Thought

The ironic effect of thought suppression refers to the phenomenon in which individuals trying to rid their mind of a target thought ironically experience greater levels of occurrence and accessibility of the thought compared with individuals who deliberately concentrate on the thought (Wegner, 1994, doi:10.1037/0033-295X.101.1.34). Ironic effects occurring after thought suppression, also known as rebound effects, were consistently detected by previous meta-analyses. However, ironic effects that occur during thought suppression, also known as immediate enhancement effects, were found to be largely absent. In this meta-analysis, we test Wegner’s original proposition that detection of immediate enhancement effects depends on the cognitive load experienced by individuals when enacting thought suppression. Given that thought suppression is an effortful cognitive process, we propose that the introduction of additional cognitive load would compete for the allocation of existing cognitive resources and impair capacity for thought suppression. Studies ( k = 31) consistent with Wegner’s original thought-suppression paradigm were analyzed. Consistent with our predictions, rebound effects were observed regardless of cognitive load, whereas immediate enhancement effects were observed only in the presence of cognitive load. We discuss implications in light of ironic-process theory and suggest future thought-suppression research.

Fulfilling the Basic Psychological Needs of Esports Fans: A Self-Determination Theory Approach

2020 ◽  
pp. 216747952094387
Author(s):  
Tyreal Yizhou Qian ◽  
Jerred Junqi Wang ◽  
James Jianhui Zhang ◽  
John Hulland
Keyword(s):  
Latent Variable ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Variable Model ◽  
Psychological Need ◽  
Pertinent Information

This study examines esports fans’ psychological processes and pertinent behaviors through the lens of the self-determination theory (SDT). The extent to which the esports fans’ basic psychological needs—that is, competence, autonomy, and relatedness—are satisfied were assessed by using a composite latent variable model. Findings derived from the data analyses confirmed the relevance of the SDT in explaining pertinent information on need satisfaction, motivation, and related consumption behaviors. In particular, relatedness was identified as the most salient basic psychological need dimension, suggesting that satisfying this need is critically important for esports consumption. Both the inquiry protocol and the findings of this investigation contribute to the existing literature on motivation by developing an SDT model in esports media studies. Further discussions were made on deciphering the opportunities and challenges associated with the burgeoning esports industry.

Challenge Demands, Hindrance Demands, and Psychological Need Satisfaction

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon L. Albrecht
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Job Resources ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Psychological Need ◽  
Practical Implications

The job demands-resources (JD-R) model provides a well-validated account of how job resources and job demands influence work engagement, burnout, and their constituent dimensions. The present study aimed to extend previous research by including challenge demands not widely examined in the context of the JD-R. Furthermore, and extending self-determination theory, the research also aimed to investigate the potential mediating effects that employees’ need satisfaction as regards their need for autonomy, need for belongingness, need for competence, and need for achievement, as components of a higher order needs construct, may have on the relationships between job demands and engagement. Structural equations modeling across two independent samples generally supported the proposed relationships. Further research opportunities, practical implications, and study limitations are discussed.

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