Flynn, Joseph; (2021) Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Goal-Oriented Mental Imagery on Reward Perception. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Aims: Recent studies have shown that mood can bias perceived reward value, with this effect being strongest in individuals with more mood instability. Spontaneous use of mental imagery has been highlighted as an important feature in generating and maintaining mood symptoms in bipolar disorder. We examined whether mental imagery influencing motivation biases perceived reward value during learning, and to what extent effects are modulated by mood symptoms. Method: 50 healthy participants completed a brief, online-based manipulation in which they generated mental images related to goal-attainment and goal-failure with a view to increasing and decreasing motivation, respectively. We quantified the efficacy of this manipulation on mood and motivation, as well as on the perception of reward stimuli encountered in two learning blocks. Participants performed each block under one of the two types of imagery, thus using a within-participants design. To test for bias in perceived reward value, participants were subsequently asked to indicate their preference in pairwise choices between all stimuli encountered. Trait mood instability (HPS), propensity towards imagery (SUIS), and depression symptoms (PHQ-9) were included in analyses to test for modulatory effects on biased preference. Results: Goal-oriented mental imagery effectively impacted subjective motivation, with higher ratings in the goal-attainment imagery block, compared to goal-failure. Depression symptoms, but not mood instability, were observed to have a modulating effect on change in motivational state. The degree to which momentary motivation was impacted by imagery was positively associated with bias in perceived reward value, and further modulated by depression symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that goal-oriented mental imagery is effective in impacting motivational state in healthy individuals reporting more depression symptoms, and that motivational state in turn modulates reward perception. Insights are offered to aid development of interventions using mental imagery as an emotional and motivational “amplifier” to improve depressed mood.

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