Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Roger Buehler

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

Mental imagery is often used as a strategy to increase motivation and support goal pursuit, but it remains unclear when different forms of imagery are most effective. Prior work suggests that adopting a third-person imagery perspective may enhance goal striving by promoting more abstract, identity-relevant processing. In line with this work, we predicted that third-person imagery would be most beneficial for self-concordant goals. The present research tested this prediction across three studies. In Study 1 (N = 273), participants identified a personal goal, visualized themselves pursuing and attaining it from either a first- or third-person perspective, and reported their motivation, commitment, and confidence. Goal self-concordance was measured as a proposed moderator. Contrary to predictions, self-concordance did not reliably moderate the effect of imagery perspective on goal striving. However, exploratory analyses suggested that third-person imagery was associated with higher motivation and commitment when goal domain was considered. In Study 2 (N = 207), we experimentally manipulated goal type by asking participants to identify a goal pursued for intrinsic or extrinsic reasons within the next two weeks. Again, there were no significant main effects or interactions of imagery perspective and goal type on goal pursuit outcomes. In Study 3 (N = 532), we added unspecified imagery and no-imagery control conditions to test whether imagery broadly enhances goal striving. The results provided little support for a general benefit of imagery, the predicted advantage of third-person imagery, or moderation by self-concordance. Thus, across all three studies, there was limited and inconsistent support for the prediction that third-person imagery would enhance goal striving, particularly for goals higher in self-concordance. Instead, the findings suggest that the effects of imagery perspective are more variable and context-dependent than initially expected, and that in some cases, third-person imagery may even reduce goal engagement.

Convocation Year

2026

Convocation Season

Fall

Additional Files
Creuber_Thesis_Appendices.pdf (340 kB)
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