1. Improving Prospective Thinking in Depression: The Effect of Positive Simulations on Positive and Negative Future Event Appraisals
Jennifer Boland, Dr Rachel Anderson & Dr Kevin Riggs, Department of Psychology, University of Hull
Background
Results
Depressed individuals have difficulties with positive future cognitions (Stober, 2000).
Imagining future events can increase confidence that event will occur (Carroll, 1978).
Positive mental imagery can improve mood in depression, and appears to be more effective than verbal language (Holmes & Mathews, 2005).
Study investigates 1) the impact of simulating positive future events on how individuals appraise possible future events and 2) whether the impact of simulation differs between depressed and non-depressed individuals.
Hypotheses
Increase in likelihood ratings for positive events post-simulation
Increase in control ratings for positive events post-simulation
Increase in vividness ratings for positive events post-simulation
No change in importance ratings pre-to post-simulation
Likelihood
Control
Perceived likelihood of occurrence higher for positive, and lower for negative, events post-simulation
Higher levels of perceived control over positive and negative events post-simulation
Importance
Vividness
Lower importance ratings for negative events post-simulation. No difference for positive events
Vividness ratings higher for positive, and lower for negative, events post-simulation
Pre- to post-simulation changes in all four appraisal ratings were evidenced by non-depressed, dysphoric and depressed participants
Method
Discussion
Participants split into 3 groups:
Non-Depressed n=38
Dysphoric n=35
Depressed n=19
Consistent with our hypothesis the likelihood ratings increased for positive events post-simulation. Interestingly, the ratings for negative events decreased post-simulation. This was also evident for vividness ratings.
Consistent with our hypothesis, control ratings increased post simulation.
Inconsistent with our hypothesis, Importance ratings for negative events decreased post-simulation.
Has shown that positive imagery can be used to improve prospective thinking.
Could be a promising new method that could be incorporated into cognitive therapy.
Future work needs to examine issues such as the longevity of the effect and whether positive mental simulation impacts on other cognitive biases evidenced in depression.
Future Events Rating Task
15 Positive 15 Negative – 10 Minutes
Depression Inventory - CESD-R
5 minutes
Distraction “Jigsaw” Task
10 Minutes
Future Simulation Task
30 Simulations - 10 Minutes
References
Szpunar, K. K., & Schacter, D. L. (2013). Get real: Effects of repeated simulation and emotion on the perceived plausibility of future experiences. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 142(2), 323–327
Stober, J. (2000). Prospective cognitions in anxiety and depression: Replication and methodological extension. Cognition and Emotion, 14(5), 725–729
Holmes, E. A., & Mathews, A. (2005). Mental imagery and emotion: A special relationship? Emotion, 5, 489–497.
Carroll, J. S. (1978). The effect of imagining an event on expectations for the event: An interpretation in terms of the availability heuristic. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 14, 88–96.