In modern work environments, it can be difficult for workers to avoid becoming
distracted from their current task. This study investigates person–situation interactions
to predict thought control activities (kind of self-control), which aim to stop distracting
thoughts that enter the mind. Specifically, it was examined (1) how ...
In modern work environments, it can be difficult for workers to avoid becoming
distracted from their current task. This study investigates person–situation interactions
to predict thought control activities (kind of self-control), which aim to stop distracting
thoughts that enter the mind. Specifically, it was examined (1) how challenging work
demands (time pressure, task complexity) activate workers’ thought control to stop
distractive thoughts (nlevel2 = 143) and relate to the effort to do so (nlevel2 = 91) in
daily working life and (2) how these relationships differ according workers’ general
cognitive ability to suppress unwanted thoughts. To understand these person–situation
interactions, an experience sampling study was combined with a laboratory task
assessing the ability to suppress unwanted thoughts (think/no-think task). Multilevel
modeling revealed that workers’ engage more often and more intensively in thought
control activities at a moderate level of time pressure but only when they had a
higher general ability to suppress unwanted thoughts. For workers with a lower ability
to suppress unwanted thoughts, increasing time pressure was negatively related to
thought control activities, even at very low levels of time pressure. Thus, whether time
pressure activates or hinders thought control depends on individuals’ ability to suppress
distractive thoughts.