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Suppression and ritualistic behaviour in normal participants
Author(s) -
Rassin Eric,
Merckelbach Harald,
Muris Peter,
Stapert Sven
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1348/014466599162746
Subject(s) - psychology , thought suppression , developmental psychology , resistance (ecology) , social psychology , clinical psychology , cognition , psychiatry , ecology , biology
Objective. Previous research has shown that normal and abnormal ritualistic behaviours do not differ in content. Rather, the differences between both categories of rituals pertain to characteristics such as frequency, intensity, discomfort and resistance. This study sought to investigate whether thought suppression is linked to these characteristics. Design. Cross‐sectional; questionnaires on thought suppression and rituals were administered to a sample of undergraduate students ( N =166). Method. Habitual suppressors ( N =20) and non‐suppressors ( N =20), as measured by the White Bear Suppression Inventory, were selected and compared with regard to the characteristics of their rituals. Results. Suppressors experienced their rituals as more intense, discomforting and resistance‐provoking than did non‐suppressors. There were no group differences in the content, frequency, and perceived senselessness of rituals. Conclusion. Although the cross‐sectional nature of the present study precludes causal inferences, its findings are consistent with the view that chronic thought suppression may promote ritualistic behaviour. Clearly, the details of the link between thought suppression and rituals require further examination.