Kahmann, Bo (2025) White Whales: Exploring the Role of Inhibitory Control on the Link Between Thought Suppression and Mood State. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Intrusions are a common experience for most individuals but can become problematic in various psychological disorders. Suppression of these intrusions can paradoxically lead to a later increase in that thought, called the rebound effect. A person’s mood during this suppression is thought to cause mood reinstatement during later expression, first researched by Wenzlaff and colleagues (1991). This paper investigates the rebound and mood reinstatement effect by replicating the experiment of Wenzlaff and colleagues. Additionally, a moderating effect of inhibitory control on the link between thought suppression and intrusions, and between thought suppression and mood reinstatement is researched. Participants (N = 61) were randomly assigned in a 2x2 between-subjects design manipulating mood (neutral/negative) and thought instruction (suppression/expression). Measures included mood ratings, intrusive thought counts and inhibitory control measures. Results showed a statistically nonsignificant rebound effect and mood reinstatement effect, but did show trends in line with these effects. Methodological limitations may contribute to the nonsignificant results. No moderation effect of inhibitory control on thought suppression and intrusions or mood reinstatement was found. Possible confounding variables such as time of testing may account for this. The present study addresses the lack of methodological details in the original paper and suggests several improvements regarding methodology for future research in this field. It suggests that future research should investigate the influence of mood on distractor thoughts to improve the understanding and quality of the ironic process theory.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Wessel, J.P. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Mar 2025 11:24 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Mar 2025 11:24 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4773 |
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