FANNING OLD FLAMES - EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE EFFECTS OF SUPPRESSING THOUGHTS OF A PAST RELATIONSHIP

Cognitive and electrodermal effects of suppressing thoughts of an old flame were examined in 2 experiments. Participants were asked to think aloud about an old flame-a past close relationship that either was or was not still desired-as their skin conductance level (SCL) was measu red. Participants continued to think aloud as they were instructed eit her not to think about their old flame or to perform a comparison task . Participants were then asked to think about the old flame again. Par ticipants who had suppressed thoughts of a no-longer-desired relations hip were inclined to think aloud more about it afterward whereas those who suppressed thoughts of a still-desired relationship did not show such a rebound but evidenced increased SCL.