The fantasy-prone person: hypnosis, imagination, and creativity

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The concept of fantasy-prone personality suggests individuals exhibit extensive fantasy lives.
• Previous research has explored the cognitive characteristics associated with high fantasy proneness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically evaluate the fantasy-prone personality construct.
• To differentiate fantasy-prone individuals from others based on cognitive and imaginative measures.

Main Methods:

• Selected participants into fantasy-prone, medium, and non-fantasy-prone groups using the Inventory of Childhood Memories and Imaginings.
• Administered measures of hypnotic susceptibility (Harvard Group Scale), absorption, mental imagery (QMI), response to suggestion (Creative Imagination Scale), creativity (Barron Welsh Art Scale), and social desirability.

Main Results:

• Fantasy-prone individuals significantly outperformed comparison groups in measures of fantasy, imagination, and creativity, even when controlling for social desirability.
• No significant differences were found in creativity or hypnotic responsiveness between low and medium fantasy-prone groups.
• The study provides strong support for the construct of imaginative involvement and the distinction of fantasy-prone individuals based on cognitive processes.

Conclusions:

• Fantasy-prone personality is a valid construct distinguishable by unique fantasy and cognitive processes.
• Individuals with high fantasy proneness exhibit superior performance in imaginative and creative tasks.
• Further research can explore the implications of fantasy proneness in various psychological domains.