Mental imagery as a “motivational amplifier” to promote activities

Facilitating engagement in rewarding activities is a key treatment target in depression. Mental imagery can increase engagement in planned behaviours, potentially due to its special role in representing emotionally salient experiences. The present study tested the hypothesis that mental imagery prom...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behaviour research and therapy 2019-03, Vol.114, p.51-59
Main Authors: Renner, Fritz, Murphy, Fionnuala C., Ji, Julie L., Manly, Tom, Holmes, Emily A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activation
Activity scheduling
Adult
Anticipation, Psychological - physiology
Behavioural activation
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Community volunteers
Emotions - physiology
Expectations
Female
Humans
Imagery
Imagination - physiology
Male
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Mental depression
Mental imagery
Mental simulation
Middle Aged
Motivation
Motivation - physiology
Pleasure
Pleasure - physiology
Reinforcement
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
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Summary:Facilitating engagement in rewarding activities is a key treatment target in depression. Mental imagery can increase engagement in planned behaviours, potentially due to its special role in representing emotionally salient experiences. The present study tested the hypothesis that mental imagery promotes motivation and engagement when planning pleasant and rewarding activities. Participants were recruited from a community volunteer panel (N = 72). They self-nominated six activities to complete over the following week, and were randomized to either: a) a single-session Motivational Imagery condition (N = 24); b) an Activity Reminder control condition (N = 24); or c) a No-Reminder control condition (N = 24). As predicted, relative to control groups, the Motivational Imagery group reported higher levels of motivation, anticipated pleasure, and anticipated reward for the planned activities. The Motivational Imagery group also completed significantly more activities than the Activity Reminder group, but not more than the No-Reminder group. Relevance of results to behavioural activation approaches for depression are discussed. •Mental imagery of planned activities increases motivation to engage in them.•Higher imagery vividness is associated with higher anticipated reward.•Mental imagery of planned activities is associated with higher activity completion.
ISSN:0005-7967
1873-622X
1873-622X
DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2019.02.002