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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
Psychological effects of thought acceleration
Emily Pronin1, Elana Jacobs, Daniel M Wegner
1Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. epronin@princeton.edu
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|October 8, 2008
Summary
Accelerating thought speed through various methods consistently led to positive mood. This suggests fast thinking directly enhances positive affect, rather than slow thinking solely diminishing it.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Affective Science
Background:
- Clinical observations link "racing thoughts" to euphoria in mania.
- The relationship between cognitive processing speed and emotional states requires further empirical investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between the speed of thought and positive affect.
- To explore the subjective experience of thought speed as a mediator of mood.
- To determine if fast thinking enhances positive affect or slow thinking diminishes it.
Main Methods:
- Six experiments employed diverse methods to manipulate thought speed.
- Methods included free-brainstorming, exposure to multiple ideas, and altered reading speeds.
- Thought content varied, encompassing abstract concepts and concrete tasks.
Main Results:
- Manipulations increasing thought speed reliably produced positive affect.
- The subjective experience of thought speed partially mediated the mood effects.
- Evidence supports fast thinking as a joy-enhancer, not just slow thinking as a joy-killer.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive processing speed significantly influences emotional states.
- Subjective perception of thought speed plays a crucial role in affect.
- Findings have implications for understanding mood regulation and conditions like mania.
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