title: Suppression-induced forgetting on a free-association test.
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 practised 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 emphasises the ecological value of the test; rarely do people deliberately attempt recall of unwanted thoughts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA. phertel@trinity.edu
authors.forename: Paula T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Hertel
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Large
authors.forename: Ellen D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Stück
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005608:Free Association; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D012094:Repression, Psychology