Ironic process theory
Ironic process theory or the white bear problem refers to the psychological process whereby deliberate attempts to suppress certain thoughts make them more likely to surface. An example is how when someone is actively trying not to think of a white bear they may actually be more likely to imagine one.
The phenomenon was identified through thought suppression studies in experimental psychology. Social psychologist Daniel Wegner first studied ironic process theory in a laboratory setting in 1987. Ironic mental processes have been shown in a variety of situations, where they are usually created or worsened by stress. In extreme cases, ironic mental processes result in intrusive thoughts about doing something immoral or out of character, which can be troubling to the individual. These findings have since guided clinical practice. For example, they show why it would be unproductive to try to suppress anxiety-producing or depressing thoughts.
Examples
Memorization and mnemonics
White Bear
White bear may refer to:
Animals
Places
Cities and towns
Buildings
Other
White Bear (Black Mirror)
"White Bear" is the second episode of the second series of Black Mirror. It starred Lenora Crichlow and Michael Smiley and was written by series creator Charlie Brooker. It first aired on Channel 4 on 18 February 2013.
Synopsis
In a bedroom, a woman named Victoria Skillane (Lenora Crichlow) wakes up in a chair to find she can't recall anything about her life. Apparently the result of a failed suicide attempt, Victoria is surrounded by images of a small girl (Imani Jackman) — whom she assumes to be her daughter — as well as photos of her and an unknown man (Nick Ofield). Victoria sees an unusual symbol on the TV screens in the house and a calendar on the month of October, with all the dates being crossed off up until the 18th. Leaving the house, Victoria sees people constantly recording her on their phones. When asking for help and shouting at the people to stop recording her, a man wearing a balaclava with the symbol on it pulls up in a car, takes out a shotgun, and fires at Victoria. After being chased by the masked man, she meets Jem (Tuppence Middleton) and Damien (Ian Bonar), two people getting supplies. The masked man kills Damien, who attempted to save Victoria and Jem, forcing them to go on the run. Jem explains a mysterious signal over television and the internet turned most of the population into dumb voyeurs who do nothing but record everything around them. Victoria and Jem are unaffected, but are also a target for the 'hunters', unaffected humans who, with society's collapse, can act wantonly violent and sadistic. Jem plans to reach a nearby transmitter at 'White Bear' to destroy it and stop the signal's effect on the area.
Podcasts:
