Suppression and ritualistic behaviour in normal participants.
Previous research has shown that normal and abnormal ritualistic behaviours do not differ in content. Rather, the differences between both categories of rituals pertain to characteristics such as frequency, intensity, discomfort and resistance. This study sought to investigate whether thought suppression is linked to these characteristics.



Cross-sectional; questionnaires on thought suppression and rituals were administered to a sample of undergraduate students (N = 166).



Habitual suppressors (N = 20) and non-suppressors (N = 20), as measured by the White Bear Suppression Inventory, were selected and compared with regard to the characteristics of their rituals.



Suppressors experienced their rituals as more intense, discomforting and resistance-provoking than did non-suppressors. There were no group differences in the content, frequency, and perceived senselessness of rituals.



Although the cross-sectional nature of the present study precludes causal inferences, its findings are consistent with the view that chronic thought suppression may promote ritualistic behaviour. Clearly, the details of the link between thought suppression and rituals require further examination.
Rassin
E
E
Department of Psychology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. e.rassin@psychology.unimaas.nl
Merckelbach
H
H
Muris
P
P
Stapert
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008273:Magic; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012094:Repression, Psychology