Improving Prospective Thinking in Depression: The Effect of Positive Simulations on Positive and Negative Future Event Appraisals Jennifer Boland, Dr Rachel Anderson & Dr Kevin Riggs, Department of Psychology, University of Hull Background Results Depressed individuals have difficulties with positive future cognitions (Stober, 2000). Imagining future events can increase confidence that event will occur (Carroll, 1978). Positive mental imagery can improve mood in depression, and appears to be more effective than verbal language (Holmes & Mathews, 2005). Study investigates 1) the impact of simulating positive future events on how individuals appraise possible future events and 2) whether the impact of simulation differs between depressed and non-depressed individuals. Hypotheses Increase in likelihood ratings for positive events post-simulation Increase in control ratings for positive events post-simulation Increase in vividness ratings for positive events post-simulation No change in importance ratings pre-to post-simulation Likelihood Control Perceived likelihood of occurrence higher for positive, and lower for negative, events post-simulation Higher levels of perceived control over positive and negative events post-simulation Importance Vividness Lower importance ratings for negative events post-simulation. No difference for positive events Vividness ratings higher for positive, and lower for negative, events post-simulation Pre- to post-simulation changes in all four appraisal ratings were evidenced by non-depressed, dysphoric and depressed participants Method Discussion Participants split into 3 groups: Non-Depressed n=38 Dysphoric n=35 Depressed n=19 Consistent with our hypothesis the likelihood ratings increased for positive events post-simulation. Interestingly, the ratings for negative events decreased post-simulation. This was also evident for vividness ratings. Consistent with our hypothesis, control ratings increased post simulation. Inconsistent with our hypothesis, Importance ratings for negative events decreased post-simulation. Has shown that positive imagery can be used to improve prospective thinking. Could be a promising new method that could be incorporated into cognitive therapy. Future work needs to examine issues such as the longevity of the effect and whether positive mental simulation impacts on other cognitive biases evidenced in depression. Future Events Rating Task 15 Positive 15 Negative – 10 Minutes Depression Inventory - CESD-R 5 minutes Distraction “Jigsaw” Task 10 Minutes Future Simulation Task 30 Simulations - 10 Minutes References Szpunar, K. K., & Schacter, D. L. (2013). Get real: Effects of repeated simulation and emotion on the perceived plausibility of future experiences. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 142(2), 323–327 Stober, J. (2000). Prospective cognitions in anxiety and depression: Replication and methodological extension. Cognition and Emotion, 14(5), 725–729 Holmes, E. A., & Mathews, A. (2005). Mental imagery and emotion: A special relationship? Emotion, 5, 489–497. Carroll, J. S. (1978). The effect of imagining an event on expectations for the event: An interpretation in terms of the availability heuristic. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 14, 88–96.