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Non-clinical hallucinations and mental imagery across sensory modalities

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mma YeeboORCiD, Daniel Collerton, Dr Rob DudleyORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Introduction: Vivid mental imagery has been proposed to increase the likelihood of experiencing hallucinations. Typically, studies have employed a modality general approach to mental imagery which compares imagery across multiple domains (e.g., visual, auditory and tactile) to hallucinations in multiple senses. However, modality specific imagery may be a better predictor of hallucinations in the same domain. The study examined the contribution of imagery to hallucinations in a non-clinical sample and specifically whether imagery best predicted hallucinations at a modality general or modality specific level. Methods: In study one, modality general and modality specific accounts of the imagery-hallucination relationship were contrasted through application of self-report measures in a sample of 434 students. Study two used a subsample (n = 103) to extend exploration of the imagery-hallucinations relationship using a performance-based imagery task. Results: A small to moderate modality general relationship was observed between self-report imagery and hallucination proneness. There was only evidence of a modality specific relationship in the tactile domain. Performance-based imagery measures were unrelated to hallucinations and self-report imagery. Conclusions: Mental imagery may act as a modality general process increasing hallucination proneness. The observed distinction between self-report and performance-based imagery highlights the difficulty of accurately measuring internal processes.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Rogers LW, Yeebo M, Collerton D, Moseley P, Dudley R

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Cognitive Neuropsychiatry

Year: 2024

Volume: 29

Issue: 2

Pages: 87-102

Online publication date: 16/02/2024

Acceptance date: 10/01/2024

Date deposited: 05/03/2024

ISSN (print): 1354-6805

ISSN (electronic): 1464-0619

Publisher: Routledge

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/13546805.2024.2313467

DOI: 10.1080/13546805.2024.2313467

Data Access Statement: Summary and anonymised data have been made publicly available via OSF and can be accessed at https://osf.io/pys8h/.

PubMed id: 38363282

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