Suppressing with images

Research reveals a unique relationship between image representations and emotions. In this context, intrusive mental images could be especially unpleasant and distressing. On the other hand, because of their impact on emotions, images can serve as a support to self-regulation, including regulation of one’s own thoughts. In the article, a thought suppression strategy is proposed that uses images to fight harmful intrusions. This proposition is based on several research areas: studies on image representations properties, the “think/no-think” and the “white bear” thought suppression paradigms, and Lavie’s attention theory The strategy assumes the redirection of attention from unwanted content by using image representations in conditions of maximally freed-up cognitive control resources.