Scheibner, Yva Luca Emily (2025) The relationship between reported individual differences in thought suppression and rebound effect. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
The rebound effect of thought suppression refers to the recurrence of unwanted thoughts after individuals consciously try to avoid thinking about them. This effect is believed to be linked to negative mood, with one reinforcing the other. However, existing literature on thought suppression questions the replicability of the rebound effect and its bond to mood, which this paper explores. The White Bear Suppression Inventory, a tool for identifying individuals at risk of developing chronic thought suppression, was used to examine how individual differences in suppression ability relate to the rebound effect. In an experimental between-subjects design, we tested 61 healthy first-year psychology students. Manipulation checks revealed no significant effects, and our results did not support the presence of thought rebound or mood reinstatement in this replication. Specifically, the two experimental phases showed no increase in suppressed target thoughts or mood ratings. Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between individual differences and the rebound effect, either because the manipulation was ineffective or because other interpersonal factors may interact with the rebound effect. Future research should consider a larger sample size and focus on the link between individual differences in thought suppression to aid the development of therapeutic strategies. The existing literature points to an association between suppression and psychopathology.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Wessel, J.P. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Mar 2025 11:17 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Mar 2025 11:17 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4769 |
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