Synthesizing the effects of mental simulation on behavior change: Systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis
Authors
Cole, Scott N.Smith, Debbie M.
Ragan, Kathryn
Suurmond, Robert
Armitage, Christopher J.; email: chris.armitage@manchester.ac.uk
Publication Date
2021-05-04
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Abstract: Mental simulation of future scenarios is hypothesized to affect future behavior, but a large and inconsistent literature means it is unclear whether, and under what conditions, mental simulation can change people’s behavior. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the effects of mental simulation on behavior and examine under what conditions mental simulation works best. An inclusive systematic database search identified 123 (N = 5,685) effect sizes comparing mental simulation to a control group. After applying a multilevel random effects model, a statistically-reliable positive effect of Hedges’ g = 0.49, 95% CI [0.37; 0.62] was found, which was significantly different than zero. Using a taxonomy to identify different subtypes of mental simulation (along two dimensions, class [process, performance, outcome] and purpose [whether an inferior, standard, superior version of that behavior is simulated]), it was found that superior simulations garnered more reliable beneficial effects than inferior simulations. These findings have implications for integrating theories of how mental simulations change behavior, how mental simulations are classified, and may help guide professionals seeking evidence-based and cost-effective methods of changing behavior.Citation
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, volume 28, issue 5, page 1514-1537Publisher
Springer USType
articleDescription
From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: registration 2021-01-05, online 2021-05-04, pub-electronic 2021-05-04, pub-print 2021-10
Publication status: Published