PubHawk
January 1994 PMID 8121959

Ironic processes of mental control.

D M Wegner

Full text PDF Download social card

Mentions

56
Peak: 2 in Sep 2021
across 4 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

48,151
potential audience

Total likes

1,122

Video views

10,626

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News29 articles
  • X / Twitter15 posts
  • Blogs10 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions show strong support for the theory, with examples like trying to suppress thoughts or control emotions leading to the opposite effect, highlighting high interest. Words like 'reminds me' or 'interesting' indicate curiosity, while references to everyday experiences, such as sleep or emotional states, demonstrate immersive engagement, although some reactions remain at an observational level.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions support Wegner's theory, citing how efforts to control thoughts can backfire, demonstrating strong agreement.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions exhibit high interest, with references to the impact of ironic processes on daily life and psychological understanding.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants deeply engage by connecting the concept to diverse examples, such as sleep difficulties or emotional regulation.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest the article influences thinking about mental control and related phenomena, though some responses are more observational than transformative.

Abstract in brief

  • The BRA theory explains how attempts to control one’s thoughts can sometimes backfire, leading to the opposite of what is intended, through two mental processes: an operating process that seeks to produce the desired mental state, and a monitoring process that checks for signs that control is needed.
  • The operating process is more demanding on mental resources and typically has a stronger effect, but when mental capacity is limited, the monitoring process can become dominant, making a person more aware of thoughts opposite to their goals.
  • This imbalance under reduced capacity conditions can cause ironic effects, where efforts at self-control inadvertently increase unwanted mental contents, explaining why it can be so hard to suppress certain thoughts.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
ΣMILY
@emilyyyelizz · X

ironic processes of mental control https://t.co/Ywq2ieT8sh

May 22, 2025 · 11 likes · 7,532 followers View post →
八海クエ
@yakkaikue · X

「白いクマを考えるな」と指示すると、逆に白いクマを思い浮かべやすくなると報告。思考を抑えようとする行為そのものが、抑制対象を活性化させる心理過程がある。 Wegner (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychol. Rev., 101, 34–52. #恋愛 #恋愛小説 #web小説

Sep 26, 2025 · 10 likes · 1 share · 1,127 followers View post →
Sam Woolfe
@samwoolfe · X

This reminds me of Daniel Wegner's 'theory of ironic processes of mental control': trying to control a mental state has the opposite effect (e.g. trying to sleep makes it harder to sleep). Looks like the same applies to happiness. https://t.co/ujSkbfCIS7

Sep 15, 2021 · 3 likes · 2,553 followers View post →
Cricktake
@Cricktake_ · X

Wegner, D. M. (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychological Review, 101(1), 34–52.

Nov 11, 2025 · 2 likes · 23 followers View post →
Sam Woolfe
@samwoolfe · X

A 1994 paper from Wegner on this phenomenon and why he thinks it happens: https://t.co/hop5O7OglZ

Sep 15, 2021 · 1 like · 2,553 followers View post →
HIDECO
@HaruSolar · X

@Johnny_coolcat Ironic processes of mental control.

Jan 13, 2025 · 1 like · 244 followers View post →

All mentions

Cricktake
@Cricktake_ · X

Wegner, D. M. (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychological Review, 101(1), 34–52.

Nov 11, 2025 · 2 likes · 23 followers View post →
語り部ミミズク
@XO3kHEMqvC51682 · X

RT @yakkaikue: 「白いクマを考えるな」と指示すると、逆に白いクマを思い浮かべやすくなると報告。思考を抑えようとする行為そのものが、抑制対象を活性化させる心理過程がある。 Wegner (1994). Ironic processes of mental cont…

Sep 27, 2025 · 1 share · 1,431 followers View post →
八海クエ
@yakkaikue · X

「白いクマを考えるな」と指示すると、逆に白いクマを思い浮かべやすくなると報告。思考を抑えようとする行為そのものが、抑制対象を活性化させる心理過程がある。 Wegner (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychol. Rev., 101, 34–52. #恋愛 #恋愛小説 #web小説

Sep 26, 2025 · 10 likes · 1 share · 1,127 followers View post →
Kumicit Transact
@kumicit · X

・認知的回避と心理的距離 新しい技術に対して「必要ない」と答える背景に認知的回避が働いている可能性がある。これは、理解するのに認知的負荷がかかる情報を無意識に回避する心理メカニズム。 Wegner, D. M. (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychological Review, 101(1), 34–52.

Jul 19, 2025 · 1,337 followers View post →
ΣMILY
@emilyyyelizz · X

ironic processes of mental control https://t.co/Ywq2ieT8sh

May 22, 2025 · 11 likes · 7,532 followers View post →
Andrei Lux
@Andrei_Lux · X

Published! Bunjak, A., et al. (2024). Rethinking authentic leadership: An alternative approach based on dynamic processes of active identity, self-regulation, and ironic processes of mental control. Journal of Management & Organization, 30(6), 1669-1698. https://t.co/dIalLI02vX

Feb 25, 2025 · 39 followers View post →
HIDECO
@HaruSolar · X

@Johnny_coolcat Ironic processes of mental control.

Jan 13, 2025 · 1 like · 244 followers View post →
Journal of Management & Organization
@JMO_news · X

New FirstView Article

Nov 26, 2024 · 526 followers View post →
HIDECO
@HaruSolar · X

@Number10cat Ironic processes of mental control.

Jul 4, 2024 · 244 followers View post →
HIDECO
@HaruSolar · X

@Number10cat Ironic processes of mental control.

Jun 28, 2024 · 244 followers View post →
Tristan M.
@trstnmnr · X

@Kyramas_ Ah c'est gentil, mais j'ai réellement décidé de ne pas le lire :) Je viens de chercher, je suis tombé sur ça : Wegner, D. M. (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychological Review, 101(1), 34–52. https://t.co/8HtXMsL8HJ J'ai fait fausse route, ou bien c'est ça ?

Aug 28, 2023 · 114 followers View post →
Jordan James Etem
@JordanJamesEtem · X

Wegner, D. (1994). Ironic processes of mental control. Psychological Review, 101, 35–52. @elonmusk @Tesla

Dec 9, 2021 · 12,637 followers View post →
Sam Woolfe
@samwoolfe · X

A 1994 paper from Wegner on this phenomenon and why he thinks it happens: https://t.co/hop5O7OglZ

Sep 15, 2021 · 1 like · 2,553 followers View post →
Sam Woolfe
@samwoolfe · X

This reminds me of Daniel Wegner's 'theory of ironic processes of mental control': trying to control a mental state has the opposite effect (e.g. trying to sleep makes it harder to sleep). Looks like the same applies to happiness. https://t.co/ujSkbfCIS7

Sep 15, 2021 · 3 likes · 2,553 followers View post →
FND Portal - is no longer on X
@FndPortal · X

Although it’s interesting that their observations of things like ‘hysterical spirit of contradiction’ (when you try hard to make your body do something and it does the opposite) seems to preface Wagner’s “ironic processes of mental control”

May 3, 2019 · 6,917 followers View post →