Thought suppression, intelligence, and working memory capacity
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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
1Subdepartment of Clinical Health Psychology, University College London, UK. c.brewin@ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
The importance of individual differences in intelligence and working memory capacity in predicting the ability to intentionally suppress thoughts was investigated. Sixty participants completed a thought suppression task, and measures of working memory capacity (OSPAN), fluid intelligence (Raven's Matrices), and crystallised intelligence (the National Adult Reading Test). As predicted, the results indicated that more effective thought suppression was independently related to higher working memory capacity and greater fluid intelligence, but was unrelated to crystallised intelligence. The findings have theoretical implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying a failure to inhibit unwanted intrusions and clinical implications for disorders involving high levels of intrusive thoughts and memories.
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