Worry as Actively Controlled Thinking: A Cognitive Perspective

Abstract

Worry is kind of uncontrollable thinking. However, at the same time, worry represents an actively controlled process of coping with difficult problems. Research on worry has been focused on why and how worry becomes uncontrollable. In the present article, I divide the past studies into 2 types: (1) those considering the automatic process underlying worry as a major factor that contributes to the uncontrol-lability, and (2) those considering that the very process that is actively controlled can ironically give rise to the uncontrollability of worry. The present review focuses exclusively on the latter type of studies. Research from that viewpoint can be further divided into studies mainly adopting a macro perspective, focusing on the ultimate function of worry, and studies with a more micro perspective, focusing on strategies used to fulfill those functions. I would emphasize the importance of the micro perspective.