The DOI matches its Crossref record; 5 of the 5 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Origins of Ruminative Thought: Trauma, Incompleteness, Nondisclosure, and Suppression
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to discuss theories of the origin of ruminative thought. We begin by providing a working definition of rumination, separating rumination from other forms of cognitive activity and distinguishing ruminations from ordinary memories. Then, we review what we believe are the major categories of theory that attempt to account for the existence and nature of rumination. These include theories of traumatization, incompleteness, nondisclosure, and thought suppression. Ruminations may originate for a number of reasons, but it seems they may continue because of our attempts to control them. Evidence from studies on thought suppression suggests that the suppression of unwanted thoughts may in fact fuel the very emotions and thoughts we are trying to avoid. Thought suppression may set up a state in which we not only increase the amount we think about an unwanted thought, but potentially also sharpen our emotional reaction to those thoughts.
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“Cortical appraisal can lead to intentional suppression of emotional behavior or thoughts (Gellhorn, 1969; Wegner et al., 1987; Gold and Wegner, 1995); this has been recognized as a counterproductive, although common, strategy, and involves a (mis-)use of cortical executive networks to interfere in the spontaneous self-regulatory action of the subcortical centers.”
From Somatic experiencing: using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy (2015) · cites this paper as Gold and Wegner, 1995
In the citing paper
“As noted previously, some types of avoidance strategies, such as distraction, can be beneficial with acute psychological and physical symptoms [27, 56].”
From Mindfulness, Experiential Avoidance, and Recovery From Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. (2019) · cites this paper as [56]
Citations
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.64.6.1152 · Cited by 3,595
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“These strategies have been shown to lead to a paradoxical increase in the occurrence of the target thoughts (Clark, Ball, & Pape, 1991; Gold & Wegner, 1995; Wegner, Schneider, Carter, & White, 1987; Wegner, Schneider, Knutson, & McMahon, 1991).”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Gold, D. B., & Wegner, D. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Virginia (US)
- Corresponding author
- Wegner, Daniel M.
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1995-07
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 14
- Pages
- 1245-1261
- ISSN
- 0021-9029 (ISSN-L)
- 1559-1816
- OpenAlex
- W2065569180
- Cited by
- 202
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 5.16
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Mind wandering and attention
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Keywords
- rumination, thought suppression, trauma, incompleteness, non-disclosure, intrusive thoughts, emotional reactivity
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