Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1997 Vol. 72: 709-719
 
On the Regulation of Recollection:
The Intentional Forgetting
of Stereotypical Memories
  
C. Neil Macrae Galen V. Bodenhausen
University of St. Andrews Northwestern University
 
Alan B. Milne Rachel L. Ford
University of Aberdeen Cardiff University
 
ABSTRACT
 

Drawing insight from related research on thought control, 2 studies investigated the process through which social perceivers inhibit the retrieval of stereotypic information from long-term memory (i.e., intentional forgetting).  Study 1 considered the attentional demands associated with the task of forgetting stereotype-congruent memories; Study 2 examined the efficacy of intentional forgetting under conditions of resource depletion. Confirming the theoretical predictions, the task of inhibiting stereotype-congruent memories made notable demands on participants' attentional resources.  The findings are considered in the context of contemporary issues in mental control and stereotype function.

 
RETURN