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. 2012;20(2):100-9.
doi: 10.1080/09658211.2011.647036. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

Suppression-induced forgetting on a free-association test

Affiliations

Suppression-induced forgetting on a free-association test

Paula T Hertel et al. Memory. 2012.

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.

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