Cognitive interference refers to unwanted, often disturbing thoughts which intrude on a person's life. This text examines the effects of this thinking on behaviour, particularly how stress can distort cognition and performance and the role it plays in social maladjustment and slow learning.

Cognitive interference refers to the unwanted and often disturbing thoughts that intrude on a person's life. Mounting evidence in a number of areas has shown that cognitive interference plays an important role in stress, poor performance, slow learning, social maladjustment, psychopathology, and behaviors resulting in accidents. The empirical evidence of cognitive interference is impressive, yet it is also scattered across several disciplines that often do not communicate with one another. This book synthesizes and integrates work on cognitive interference. It reviews the major types of interfering thoughts, how they are assessed, the mechanisms by which they influence behavior, and their theoretical and practical significance. The chapter authors of this cohesive and integrated volume are among the leading researchers, theorists, and clinicians in the study of various types of unwanted thoughts. Aimed at researchers and practitioners whose efforts are directed at understanding cognitive interference, the book is organized into three sections: theoretical analyses of cognitive interference, the book is organized into three sections: theoretical analyses of cognitive interference, the role of cognitive interference in influencing performance and social behavior, and the pervasive and debilitating manifestations of cognitive interference that clinicians treat.

"Human cognitive processing is the core issue facing psychologists of multiple orientations and specialties. Our processing of information influences our interpersonal adjustment, behavioral performance, stress levels, sense of control, ability to self-regulate, anxious and depressive states, and social interactions. To their credit, Sarason, Pierce, and Sarason bring together a collection of luminaries to describe and examine the role of cognitive interference in these and other important topics in a seasoned and reasoned analysis."—Philip C. KendallTemple University"This important book presents a comprehensive analysis of cognitive interference and research. The individual chapters are exceptionally well written by leading experts in this field, and provide insightful reviews of a research that is spread over a wide range of the psychology literature.Recognizing that cognitive interference encompasses much more than cognitive phenomena, this volume examines the effects of stress, emotions, and motivational process on thought and behavior. It also provides needed linkages between cognitive interference theory and significant clinical conditions such as anxiety disorders, phobias, and depression, and thus provides highly useful information invaluable for counselors and psychotherapists."—Charles D. Spielberger, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor of PsychologyDirector, Center for Research in Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology"Cognitive Interference: Theories, Methods, and Findings represents the state of the art with respect to cognitive interference. This book, written by various experts in the field of cognition empirically examines the effects of intrusive thinking on behavior, particularly how stress can distort cognitions and performance. Not only does this book examine empirical and applied aspects of cognitive interference, but it also illuminates the theoretical parameters of cognition. This book will prove useful not only to clinicians, educators, and researchers, but to advanced undergraduates and graduates as well."