If you’ve heard about the pink elephant experiment that’s making the rounds online, you’re not alone. It’s a simple but revealing thought experiment that highlights a common experience for many: how difficult it can be to control anxious or intrusive thoughts. It works with one statement: “Don’t think about the pink elephant.” Now, just reading this, it’s likely that the pink elephant popped into your mind, even though you were instructed to avoid it. This is a great example of how obsessive thoughts work; the pink elephant experiment was first explored in Kurt Siodmak’s 1947 science fiction novel City in the sky. The purpose of the experiment is to demonstrate a simple human phenomenon: the more you try to suppress a certain thought – especially something visual – the more that thought will persist.
So why does this happen?
Research shows that it’s all about how our brains work. When you’re told not to think about something, like a pink elephant, your brain can’t help but latch onto it. Our brain works by association, so the moment you hear the phrase “pink elephant,” your mind automatically tries to picture it, and once the image appears, trying to suppress it only reinforces it.
This phenomenon occurs because our mind doesn’t just hear words – it creates associations and visual images to understand them. So when you consciously try to push the thought away, you unconsciously reinforce it by repeatedly checking in your mind to see if you’re still thinking about the pink elephant. It’s the same thing that happens when you’re told not to push a button—suddenly you feel the urge to push it!
For many, this highlights the problem of suppressing thoughts, especially in times of anxiety. The harder you try not to think about something, the more it sticks – especially if it’s an intrusive thought. It’s as if the mind is saying, “I’ll show you this pink elephant, and you won’t be able to ignore it.”
But not everyone feels these thoughts in the same way!
If you can’t see the pink elephant at all, if you’re told not to, you’re not alone either. It turns out that this experiment does not apply equally to everyone. For people with aphantasia (those who have difficulty or cannot form mental images), the pink elephant test does not work because their brain does not create images in the first place.
This difference in how we experience intrusive thoughts reveals an interesting aspect of how our minds work. For those who cannot create mental images, their resistance to involuntary, intrusive thoughts may be stronger than for those who can visualize. Without the ability to create vivid images, it can be easier to control thoughts, daydreams, and even memories related to the trauma.
How does this relate to anxiety?
For those with anxiety or other mental health issues, the pink elephant experiment can serve as a metaphor for the overwhelming nature of anxious thoughts. It’s not that you want to think about worst-case scenarios or intrusive thoughts, but the more you try to avoid them, the more they persist. Understanding this phenomenon can shed light on why anxious thinking can feel like a cycle that’s hard to break.
However, recent research from the University of Cambridge may suggest otherwise – actively suppressing fearful thoughts may have potential benefits. Although more research is needed to confirm these findings, the study opens new avenues for understanding how fear management can improve mental well-being. Which method is best for you?
