The decentering component of mindfulness reduces reactions to mental imagery

Keesman, M., Aarts, H., Hafner, M. and Papies, E. K. (2020) The decentering component of mindfulness reduces reactions to mental imagery. Motivation Science, 6(1), pp. 34-42. (doi: 10.1037/mot0000137)

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Abstract

Four experiments examined whether reactions to mental imagery can be reduced by the mindfulness component of decentering, that is, the insight that experiences are impermanent mental states. In Experiments 1a, 1b, and 1c, participants vividly imagined an unpleasant autobiographical event or a rewarding food. When instructed to adopt a decentering perspective in comparison to an immersed perspective during imagery, participants experienced less negative affect and fewer cravings to eat. In Experiment 2, participants were exposed to an attractive or a neutral food, and we assessed salivation and eating-related imagery. Although imagery did not differ between groups, the attractive food elicited less salivation in decentering relative to control participants. We suggest that decentering can make one’s imagery of consuming a food and of reliving of negative experiences less compelling, and thus reduce affective responses to both unpleasant and rewarding imagery, even if the imagery itself is kept active in mind.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Papies, Dr Esther
Authors: Keesman, M., Aarts, H., Hafner, M., and Papies, E. K.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
Journal Name:Motivation Science
Publisher:American Psychological Association
ISSN:2333-8113
ISSN (Online):2333-8121
Published Online:11 April 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 American Psychological Association
First Published:First published in Motivation Science 6(1): 34-42
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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