Glossary

"Ironic process theory" is a psychological concept that states that when someone actively tries to suppress a thought or feeling, it paradoxically becomes more likely to surface in their mind, essentially meaning that the attempt to avoid a thought can lead to it becoming even more prominent; often referred to as the "white bear phenomenon" where trying not to think about a white bear makes you think about it more. This theory was primarily developed by social psychologist Daniel Wegner.