29th Annual Student Research Conference
Brief Guided Imagery Interventions vs. Placebo: No Significant Differences in Anxiety
Amanda M. Crawford* and Kenda Eberhardt
Dr. Karen Vittengl, Faculty Mentor
This study sought to clarify the role expectation plays in the efficacy of guided imagery to reduce anxiety. We examined levels of anxiety of an impending speech in undergraduates (N = 79) in three conditions: guided imagery with expectation of stress reduction (GEI), guided imagery without expectation (GEN), and an expectation condition without the guided imagery technique (EO). Following either a guided imagery or silence exercise, each group had two minutes to prepare a speech and then completed a state anxiety scale. Results showed no statistically significant differences among conditions. Without differences, we cannot determine the exact contribution of the technique or the expectation in stress reduction. This study provided no significant evidence that guided imagery has any inherent power beyond expectation.
Keywords:
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 11-9
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30