The effects of implementation intentions with imagery on sub-clinical checking behaviours

Abstract

Background: Previous research on compulsive checking shows that checkers have impaired prospective memory as well as reduced cognitive confidence and vividness in their actions. Therefore, the study’s objective is to increase cognitive confidence and vividness by using two interventions: implementation intentions and imagery. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental between subjects study with 120 participants. The independent variables were the condition group and participants’ checking score. The dependent variables were the prospective memory performance, confidence and vividness scores. Participants were classified as high or low checkers based on their checking score. Half of the high/low checkers were instructed to use the two strategies prior to the task. All participants performed a prospective memory task followed by confidence and vividness measures. Findings: Analyses revealed that individuals in the intervention condition reported increased confidence in their actions and their memory was more vivid compared to controls. No difference in prospective memory. Discussion: The study proposes that implementation intentions with imagery increases cognitive confidence and vividness. The findings suggest that the intervention could possibly reduce checking repetitions within a clinical population.