Unintended Thought

To what extent are we in control of our thoughts and actions?" This question - which cuts across cognitive, social, clinical, developmental, and health psychology - is the focus of this unusually rich and provocative volume.

Bringing together an array of outstanding contributors, this volume offers an in-depth examination of unintended thought--its underlying mechanisms, consequences in day-to-day life, and role in mental and emotional disturbance. Chapters describe a number of important phenomena that are influenced by unintended (and sometimes automatic, uncontrolled, or unconscious) ways of perceiving and interpreting the social and physical environment. These include inferences and judgments about self and others, stereotyping and prejudicial behavior, the impact of persuasive messages, long-term goals, responses to stress, and clinical depression. Key questions explored include the extent to which research findings in controlled settings bear on cognition and behavior outside the laboratory; how such constructs as intention and control of thought have been operationalized by investigators; and when self-control of unintended thought is possible or even desirable. Researchers, practitioners, and graduate students in cognitive, social, personality, and clinical psychology will find much of value in this unique work.