white bear problem

noun

The problem posed by ironic process theory, where, for example, explicitly trying not to think about a white bear makes one more likely to think of it.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

noun
  1. human sciencesThe problem posed by ironic process theory, where, for example, explicitly trying not to think about a white bear makes one more likely to think of it.
Cite this entry
APA

white bear problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white%20bear%20problem

MLA

“white bear problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white%20bear%20problem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “white bear problem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/white%20bear%20problem.

Source: white bear problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.