Increasing the frequency of daydreaming

Abstract

Increased Ss' self‐reported daydreaming as measured by the Daydreaming Frequency scale of the Imaginal Processes Inventory. Thirty‐nine female undergraduates were assigned to one of four treatment groups. The treatments consisted of being presented with either a positive or neutral talk about the value of daydreaming and training vs. no training in the use of imagery. In addition, each S completed questionnaires that assessed level of depression, control of imagery, locus of control, and attitudes toward daydreaming. There was a significant increase (p<0.001) in daydreaming from pretest to posttest. A 6‐month follow‐up of 32 of the 39 Ss indicated that the increase was still maintained (p<0.05). Changes in the responses to the questionnaires after the treatment procedure were also reflective of a more positive approach to daydreaming.

A procedure for increasing self-reported daydreaming

“…The post experimental scores on the six IPI scales suggest that Ss did have a more positive attitude toward daydreaming as a result of this study. In the previous study by Gold and Cundiff (1980) the same attitude changes were reported. Because attitudes as well as frequency of daydreaming changed, it suggests that the results were not simply due t o a perceived reaction to the E's demand.…”

“…( p < .OOl), reflecting an increase in daydreaming, on the posttest Daydreaming Frequency scale of the IPI, was found and was still evident in a six month followup (Gold & Cundiff, 1980). Limitations of the Gold and Cundiff (1980) study were the absence of control groups, an all female sample, and no significant differences between the four treatment groups.…”

“…Limitations of the Gold and Cundiff (1980) study were the absence of control groups, an all female sample, and no significant differences between the four treatment groups.…”

“…The present study was designed to provide a clearer assessment of the factors responsible for the increase in daydreaming reported by Gold and Cundiff (1980) and to include males and females as well as control groups. The treatment was a positive talk about daydreaming which was compared with two control groups.…”

Children with positive attitudes towards mind-wandering provide invalid subjective reports of mind-wandering during an experimental task

“…Subjects who frequently reported daydreaming when randomly sampling their thoughts were likely to retrospectively report high acceptance of daydreaming (Hurlburt, 1980). In addition, providing people with positive information about daydreaming, which made them more positive towards this phenomenon, led to an increased frequency of self-reported daydreaming (Gold & Cundiff, 1980a, 1980b.…”