Assessing the relationship of mental visual imagery and performance on visualization exercises
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Abstract
This study sought to examine the relationship between levels of visual imagery, especially for those who lack the ability to create visual images (aphantasia), and performance on two tasks relying on this ability. It was hypothesized that individuals who self-report lower levels of visualization abilities; as assessed by the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) and a new questionnaire designed for this project, the Visual Imagery Scale (VIS); would, compared to their high level of visualizing counterparts, perform worse on a visual recall task and be less responsive to an imagery-based mindfulness exercise designed to reduce negative thought-related distress (e.g., “My life is a mess”). Participants (N = 69) were WSU students enrolled in sections of Psychology 111 who received course credit for their participation. The sample predominately self gender-identified as female (70%) and White (71%) with a mean age of 21. Contrary to expectations, neither measure of visual imagery significantly correlated with the two criterion measures, which seems largeImplications for further research investigating the question addressed by this project are discussed.ly attributable to an absence of participants with aphantasia (or those who would be considered to have low imagery as determined by cutting scores of previous studies utilizing the VVIQ within) within the study sample.