A not especially enlightening investigation into why it is so
difficult to control frightening, embarrassing, or repellent
thoughts and emotions, and how they affect mind and body. Wegner
(Psychology/Trinity Univ.) starts out with an experiment in which
he asked test subjects, who had been told not to think about a
white bear, to talk about everything that came to mind and to ring
a bell every time a white bear intruded on their consciousness. The
bell rang an average of six times in five minutes. Wegner goes on
to review past and present theories - amplified by his own
experience - on suppression of and self-distraction from unwanted
thoughts and emotions. We learn that William James and other early
psychologists were all wet in contending that will power can
control mind and emotions. Later research showed that
self-distraction works only slightly better than suppression
(virtually useless) and only when it involves activities or mental
work that are inherently engrossing. Confronting unwanted memories,
especially traumatic ones following a bereavement or accident, has
proven the most effective coping method. Without such replay,
obsessions, depression, and phobias may develop with concomitant
physical symptoms: accelerated heartbeat, sleep difficulties,
compulsive behavior, etc. Although Wegner writes engagingly, and
assiduously mines the literature on his subject, the sum content of
useful information here is scanty, predictable, and disappointing.
(Kirkus Reviews)
In a series of groundbreaking experiments, Daniel M. Wegner told
subjects not to think about white bears. Of course, they found it
impossible to avoid thinking of the bears--just as it often seems
impossible to stop thinking about forbidden foods, a painful
memory, or everyday fears and worries. Synthesizing a wealth of
scientific knowledge in an accessible, engaging style, this book
reveals that the more we attempt to push away or avoid unwanted
thoughts, the deeper they take hold. Wegner offers compelling
insights into how unpleasant or obsessive thoughts get out of
control--and what we can do to break free of them. Written for
general readers, the book has been widely used in undergraduate-
and graduate-level courses.
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