The Stunning Link Between Problem-Solving, Creativity and Polar Bears
Discover what polar bears, problem-solving and creativity have in common to improve decision-making and avoid a costly mental trap
The name of Daniel Wegner might not be familiar to you, but some of his life work might be.
Dr. Wegner was a psychologist and professor at Harvard University, and one of his most memorable contributions is the ironic process theory¹ — also known as the polar bear phenomenon.
What is this theory about?
As its name suggests, this phenomenon is in fact a disturbing trick our mind is playing on us.
Let’s demonstrate and you can try it for yourself. Pause and try not to think of a polar bear.
That’s it!
Stay still. Perhaps sit or stay in a comfortable position and most importantly, do not think of a polar bear. I repeat do not think of a polar bear.
… [Count up to 10 in your head]
Any success? Science says “probably not”.
That is the irony of our mental control and thought suppression.
If we voluntarily focus our attention and our mental capabilities to push back a thought, it backfires, as we simply make this thought more vivid in our minds².
