Ironic Processes

Definition

In almost all English dictionaries, one meaning of irony (i.e., that which is ironic) refers to an unexpected outcome or a surprising consequence. Social psychologists, however, reference ironic processes predicated upon the inner workings of the mind. Thus, ironic processes are mental processes. What is ironic is the nature of a person's mental processing, such as an unexpected change in thoughts, internal images, feelings, attitudes, and so forth. A good way to understand the social psychological meaning of ironic processes is by a demonstration. The following example is similar to the one used in the initial studies of the ironic processes that occur during mental control, particularly during thought suppression.

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