Vividness of memory imagery and self-induced mood change

Previous research has shown that people who can voluntarily form vivid images are able to exert more control over some of their cognitive and affective functions than people who can voluntarily form only weak images. This study was designed to extend this line of research to the control of mood states. From a sample of first-year psychology students four groups were formed: vivid imagery/elated, vivid imagery/depressed, weak imagery/elated, weak imagery/depressed. Mood change induction procedures were employed in an attempt to produce reversals in the initial mood states. It was found that greater changes occurred for the vivid imagers than for the weak imagers. These results were discussed in relation to the differential effectiveness of the mood induction procedures, the problem of measuring mood and the importance of taking into account individual differences in imagery abilities when planning imagery based treatment.