The implicit power of positive thinking: The effect of positive episodic simulation on implicit future expectancies

Anderson, Rachel J.; Clayton McClure, J Helgi; Bishop, Emma; Howe, David; Riggs, Kevin J.; Dewhurst, Stephen A.

Abstract

Previous research demonstrating that positive episodic simulation enhances future expectancies has relied on explicit expectancy measures. The current study investigated the effects of episodic simulation on implicit expectancies. Using the Future Thinking Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (FT-IRAP), participants made true/false decisions to indicate whether or not they expected positive/negative outcomes after adopting orientations consistent or inconsistent with an optimistic disposition. The outcome measure, DIRAP, was based on response time differences between consistent and inconsistent blocks. Participants then engaged in either positive simulation training, in which they imagined positive future events, or a neutral visualisation task before repeating the FT-IRAP twice following 10-minute intervals. Positive simulation training increased DIRAP scores for don’t-expect-negative trials–boosting participants’ readiness to affirm that negative events were unlikely to happen to them. Although findings did not generalise across all trial types, they show potential for positive simulation training to enhance implicit future expectancies.

Citation

Anderson, R. J., Clayton McClure, J. H., Bishop, E., Howe, D., Riggs, K. J., & Dewhurst, S. A. (2024). The implicit power of positive thinking: The effect of positive episodic simulation on implicit future expectancies. PLoS ONE, 19(4 April), Article e0298817. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298817

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 30, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 30, 2024
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Feb 29, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 1, 2024
• Journal: PLoS ONE
• Print ISSN: 1932-6203
• Electronic ISSN: 1932-6203
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 4 April
• Article Number: e0298817
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298817
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4567253