Decision making and mental imagery: A conceptual synthesis and new research directions

ABSTRACT This paper introduces a conceptual synthesis of theoretical ideas investigating the relationship between decision making and mental imagery. We claim that the generation of mental images may play a pivotal role in decision making because imaginative foresight allows an event to be pre-experienced and consequences of different choice alternatives to be “tried out.” Moreover, we provide evidence that mental imagery can be considered a source of emotions that regulate decision making and risk perception. We also propose principles describing the mutual relationships between mental imagery and decision making that allow for formulating testable hypotheses. Finally, we discuss open issues that arise in the context of the idea that mental imagery informs decision making. They concern the relationship between mental imagery and emotions, functional and dysfunctional consequences of mental imagery, spontaneous vs. enforced generation of mental imagery, and the role of imagery-based approach/withdrawal motivation in terminating the decision-making process.