Attachment-related strategies during thought suppression: ironic rebounds and vulnerable self-representations.
The authors conducted 2 studies of attachment-related variations in thought suppression. Participants were asked, or not asked, to suppress thoughts about a relationship breakup and then to perform a Stroop task under high or low cognitive load. The dependent variables were the rebound, of previously suppressed separation-related thoughts (Study 1) and the accessibility of self-traits (Study 2). Under low cognitive load, avoidant individuals did not show any rebound of separation-related thoughts and activated positive self-representations. Under high cognitive load, avoidant participants failed to suppress thoughts of separation and were more likely to activate negative self-representations. Attachment anxiety was associated with high activation of negative self-representations and unremitting separation-related thoughts. The results are discussed in terms of the hidden vulnerabilities of avoidant individuals.
Mikulincer
Mario
M
Department of Psychology, Bar- Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. mikulm@mail.biu.ac.il
Dolev
Tamar
T
Shaver
Phillip R
PR
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003118:Color Perception; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D013850:Thinking