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33 - Imagery, Visualization, and Mental Simulation Interventions

from Part III - Behavior Change Interventions: Practical Guides to Behavior Change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2020

By
Martin S. Hagger  and
Dominic Conroy
Edited by
Martin S. Hagger ,
Linda D. Cameron ,
Kyra Hamilton ,
Nelli Hankonen  and
Taru Lintunen
Martin S. Hagger
Affiliation:
University of California, Merced
Linda D. Cameron
Affiliation:
University of California, Merced
Kyra Hamilton
Affiliation:
Griffith University
Nelli Hankonen
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki
Taru Lintunen
Affiliation:
University of Jyväskylä
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Summary

Mental imagery is defined as the mental representation of future events, actions, or tasks. Imagery techniques have been frequently used as means to change behavior. Numerous strategies have been used including guided imagery, mental simulations, and functional imagery training. Several theories explain how mental imagery may change behavior, including social cognitive, emotion regulation, and elaboration intrusion theories. Key mediators of imagery interventions include self-efficacy and outcome expectancies, emotion regulation, cue accessibility, and desires and intrusive thoughts. Imagery interventions are effective in changing behavior, typically with small-to-medium effect sizes. Imagery interventions are more effective in older populations, when detailed instructions are provided, and if they are longer in duration. Practitioners considering using imagery to change behavior should consider (1) imagery intervention content and format; (2) selection of the appropriate target audience; (3) identification of means to promote imagery intervention effectiveness; (4) identification of training and skills required for the type of imagery; (5) the appropriate dose of imagery; (6) inclusion of methods to evaluate imagery intervention fidelity; and (7) means to evaluate the efficacy and theory-based processes of imagery interventions. More high-quality experimental and intervention research evaluating imagery techniques on behavior change in diverse behaviors, contexts, and populations is required.

Keywords

mental simulationguided imageryfunctional imagery trainingemotion regulationelaboration intrusion theoryself-efficacy
Type
Chapter
Information
The Handbook of Behavior Change , pp. 479 - 494
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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References

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