Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

The repeated suppression of thoughts in response to cues for their expression leads to forgetting on a subsequent test of cued recall (Anderson & Green, 2001). We extended this effect by using homograph cues and presenting them for free association following suppression practice. Cue-target pairs were first learned under integrating imagery instructions; then in the think/no-think phase students practiced suppressing thoughts connected to some homograph cues, with or without the assistance of thought substitutes that changed their meaning. Below-baseline forgetting on the subsequent free-association test was found in the production of suppressed targets. Following aided suppression, this effect was also obtained in the production of other responses denoting the target-related meaning of the homograph cues. Discussion emphasizes the ecological value of the test; rarely do people deliberately attempt recall of unwanted thoughts.

Identifier

10.1080/09658211.2011.647036

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Publication Information

Memory

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS