White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI)

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White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI)

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About White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI)

Scale Name

White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI)

Author Details

Daniel M. Wegner and Sophia Zanakos

Translation Availability

Not Sure

White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI)
White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI)

Background/Description

The White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI), birthed in 1994 by Daniel M. Wegner and Sophia Zanakos, delves into the fascinating realm of thought suppression. This 15-item self-report questionnaire aims to gauge our tendency to push unwanted thoughts out of our minds. But why “white bear”? Imagine trying not to think of a white bear – the very act of suppression can ironically make the image even more persistent. This phenomenon, known as the “ironic rebound effect,” forms the core of the WBSI’s exploration.

The inventory presents statements like “I have thoughts that I cannot stop” and “I try to put problems out of mind.” Participants rate their agreement on a scale, creating a score reflecting their propensity for thought suppression. Higher scores suggest a stronger urge to control unwanted thoughts, which research suggests might be linked to increased anxiety, depression, and even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The WBSI’s significance lies in its contribution to understanding the paradoxical effects of thought suppression. While we might believe pushing away unwanted thoughts will bring relief, the WBSI suggests otherwise. It serves not only as a research tool but also as a potential springboard for developing alternative strategies for managing intrusive thoughts, perhaps encouraging acceptance rather than suppression. So, the next time you find yourself battling a mental white bear, remember the WBSI and its valuable insights into the complexities of our thought processes.

Administration, Scoring and Interpretation

  • Introduce the WBSI: Briefly explain the purpose of the inventory, which is to understand an individual’s tendency to suppress unwanted thoughts. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers and encourage honesty.
  • Provide instructions: Clearly explain how to answer each question. The WBSI typically uses a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from “Strongly disagree” to “Strongly agree.” Make sure participants understand the meaning of each point.
  • Administer the WBSI: Provide the participant with the questionnaire and allow them ample time to read and answer each question without interruption. Ensure privacy and confidentiality.
  • Collect the WBSI: Once completed, collect the questionnaire and ensure all questions are answered.

Reliability and Validity

The WBSI has very good internal consistency, with alphas ranging from .87 to .89. The WBSI has also been found to have good stability with a 1-week test-retest correlation of .92, and a 3 week to 3-month test-retest correlation of .69.

Demonstrates excellent convergent validity with significant correlations between the WBSI and several measures including Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). It has also been found that the WBSI correlates negatively with repression, thus suggesting that the WBSI measures a characteristic that is different from traditional concepts of repression.

Available Versions

15-Items

Reference

Wegner, D. M., & Zanakos, S. (1994). Chronic thought suppressionJournal of personality62(4), 615-640.

Ciarrochi, J., & Bilich, L. (2006). Acceptance and commitment therapy. Measures package. Unpublished manuscript, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.

Important Link

Scale File:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WBSI?
A 15-question survey measuring your tendency to suppress unwanted thoughts.

Who developed it?
Developed by Daniel Wegner & Sophia Zanakos in 1994.

How does it work?
Rates your agreement with statements like “I try to push unwanted thoughts away.”

Why is it called the “White Bear” test?
Refers to the “ironic rebound effect”: trying not to think of a white bear makes you think of it more!

What does a high score mean?
You’re more likely to try suppressing unwanted thoughts, which might link to anxiety & depression.

Is it used for diagnosis?
No, it’s a research tool, not a diagnostic test.

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