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Updated: Dec 24, 2025
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Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
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Ironic Effects of Thought Suppression: A Meta-Analysis
Deming Adam Wang1, Martin S Hagger2,3, Nikos L D Chatzisarantis4
1School of Psychology, James Cook University.
Summary
Trying to suppress thoughts can backfire, making them more prominent. This study found that immediate ironic effects of thought suppression only occur when cognitive load is high.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The ironic effect of thought suppression describes how attempting to suppress a thought can paradoxically increase its occurrence.
- Previous research consistently found rebound effects (increased thought occurrence after suppression) but not immediate enhancement effects (increased thought occurrence during suppression).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether cognitive load influences the detection of immediate enhancement effects during thought suppression, as proposed by Wegner's original theory.
- To differentiate the conditions under which immediate enhancement and rebound effects of thought suppression manifest.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 31 studies employing Wegner's thought-suppression paradigm was conducted.
- Studies were analyzed based on the presence or absence of cognitive load during the thought suppression task.
Main Results:
- Rebound effects were consistently observed irrespective of cognitive load.
- Immediate enhancement effects of thought suppression were detected exclusively in studies that included cognitive load.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that immediate enhancement effects during thought suppression are contingent upon the presence of cognitive load.
- Cognitive load appears to impair the capacity for effective thought suppression, leading to the ironic effect.
- Future research should consider the role of cognitive load in understanding ironic-process theory and thought suppression mechanisms.
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