Re-Examining the Relationship between Fantasy and Optimum Stimulation Levels

Abstract

Conflicting results concerning the relationship between optimum stimulation levels (OSLs) and fantasies have been noted in the psychology literature [1, 2]. Therefore, the current study ( n = 330) employed the Impulsive Sensation Seeking Scale (ImpSS), the Change Seeking Index (CSI) short-form, and a short-form Need for Cognition (NFC) scale, along with gender, to examine their relationship with the fantasy subscale from Davis' Interpersonal Reactivity Index [3], while controlling for age. The Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) results support significant relationships between all OSL measures and the fantasy construct, as those reporting higher levels of each trait reported significantly greater levels of the fantasy measure. Gender was also a significant factor, as female respondents reported significantly greater mean fantasy scores than did males. In addition, fantasy scores were a significant negative function of age in two analyses. The results are discussed, along with the limitations of the study and future directions for research.

Imagine, feel “there”, and flow! Immersive experiences on m-Facebook, and their affective and behavioural effects

“…There have been conflicting results concerning a potential connection between OSL and imagery. Some studies have effectively observed that OSL is positively related to imagery (Franken and Rowland, 1990;Macrae et al, 2014;McDaniel et al, 2001), while others could not verify a presumed link between imagery and OSL Lee, Kwak, Lim, Pedersen and Miloch, 2011;Parra and Argibay, 2012). However, the difficulties these latter studies encountered in finding a positive OSL-imagery connection could stem from the particular operationalisation used for imagery.…”

“…In fact, they employ imagery-related measures (e.g. the frequency of imagery evocations of the usage of a certain product, the content of imagery, or the individual's proneness to fantasy) rather than centring on the imagery experience in and of itself (Franken and Rowland, 1990;McDaniel et al, 2001). Besides, imagery experiences have two important characteristics that are in synchrony with the kind of stimuli (new, complex, diverse) sought by individuals who score highly in OSL (Gu et al, 2018;Richard and Chandra, 2005).…”

“…The use of a hedonic medium like m-Facebook arouses sensory stimuli (Pöyry et al , 2013; Yang and Lin, 2014), which in turn trigger imagery and other positive psychological mechanisms (Hirschman and Holbrook, 1982; Holbrook and Hirschman, 1982; Wu and Holsapple, 2014). When utilising a hedonic medium, the user can feel free to interact with and seek out new sensations (Gu et al , 2016; McDaniel et al , 2001). He or she might turn to imagery to picture the characters and events mentioned in the medium, involve themselves in projective fantasies or construct augmented reality (Hirschman, 1983; Overmars and Poels, 2015; Rodríguez-Ardura and Martínez-López, 2014).…”

Childhood Adversity and the Creative Experience in Adult Professional Performing Artists

“…Engaging in fantasy is an integral component in the performing arts. Fantasy is considered to be an attentional shift from external to internal stimulation ( McDaniel et al, 2000/2001 ). It is generally considered to be an adaptive and healthy aspect of psychological functioning.…”