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Research Shows Imagining Positive Encounters Shapes Real-Life Feelings
A study of 50 adults found imagining positive moments activates brain reward areas, increasing liking and altering memory storage, with potential mental health and relationship benefits.
- On Dec. 10, a Nature Communications paper from CU Boulder and Max Planck reported that imagined positive interactions can change feelings toward others in a 50-participant brain-imaging study led by cognitive neuroscientists.
- Researchers argued that shared memory–imagination machinery means imagined events can create reward prediction error that updates preferences and drives learning.
- Using functional MRI, the team observed participants first listed 30 acquaintances and ranked them, then showed neutral names and asked for vivid positive or negative imaginings while scans revealed ventral striatum activation working with dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.
- Practically, researchers say imagining positive exchanges may ease tensions and improve relationships, as study participants later reported stronger liking for those they pictured enjoying positive moments with.
- Researchers caution that imagination has risks because people with anxiety or depression often picture negative outcomes, and authors hope to explore negative imaginings' limits and harms in further research.
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Research Shows Imagining Positive Encounters Shapes Real-Life Feelings
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·Missoula, United States
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Positive Imagining Changes the Brain in Seconds
Vividly imagining a positive interaction with someone can increase how much you like them — and even alter how your brain stores information about that person. During imagined encounters, participants developed stronger preferences, and brain scans revealed activity patterns similar to those seen when people learn from real rewarding experiences.
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Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left, 44% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left, 44% of the sources are Center
45% Left
L 45%
C 44%
11%
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