#31: Don’t Give It Another Thought

Adding an extra dose of behavioral science to your week with our series In a Nutshell— a collection of behavioral science principles, explained in 150 words or less, written weekly by CUBIC director Allison Zelkowitz.

Are you ever troubled by unwanted, taboo, or frightening thoughts suddenly popping into your head? Perhaps you find yourself wondering what a stranger would look like naked, or you’re enjoying a beautiful view from a cliff and you think, “What if I just step . . . . ?”

Good news: you are not alone. As explained by Psychologist Angela Duckworth, such negative, uninvited musings are very common. Called “intrusive thoughts,” they are harmless as long as they don’t become strong urges or actual behaviors.

Dealing with intrusive thoughts can be tricky – the paradox of thought suppression demonstrates that the more we try NOT to think about something, the more LIKELY we are to think about it.

 Duckworth therefore advises us to acknowledge intrusive thoughts, then let them pass. Alternatively, we can consciously redirect our focus to something else, like upcoming plans, a favorite TV show, or a recent conversation.