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Imagined interaction theory

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James Honeycutt
James Honeycutt

Imagined interactions are a process of social cognition using verbal and visual imagery in which individuals imagine themselves in anticipated and/or past communicative encounters with significant others (Honeycutt, 2003). This theory explains how people use mental imagery to deal with conflict and think about others which serve a variety of functions. They seve six functions: catharsis, rehearsal, self-understanding, conflict management (rumination), compensation, relational maintenance

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Process of social cognition using verbal and visual imagery in which individuals imagine themselves in anticipated and/or past communicative encounters with significant others (Honeycutt, 2003). This theory explains how people use mental imagery to deal with conflict and think about others which serve a variety of functions. Macro Theories: Symbolic Interactionism & Script Theory
2 Post-positivists believe that human knowledge is based on conjectures, assumptions, or premises. These are commonly referred to as basic beliefs (e.g., A person believes that long-term anxiety is detrimental to health). A variety of methods are triangulated in testing the theory out of the recognition that observations and measurements are inherently imperfect. IIs are measured through surveys, journals, and the use of a talk- out-loud procedure, in which individuals role play their imaginary dialogues with interaction partners prior to talking with them (see Honeycutt, 2003, 2018). Numerous studies have tested hypotheses and theorems devoted to functions of IIs (see Honeycutt, 2015, for a review).
3 A core feature of II theory is its reliance on intrapersonal communication as the foundation that other types of communication rest on because it concerns individual processing of information. Intrapersonal communication involves the physiological and psychological processing of messages that happen within people as they attempt to understand themselves within their environment (Cunningham, 1989). Regardless if one speaks of dyadic, interpersonal, small group, organizational, societal, cultural, or mass communication, the individual processing of information is nested within all hierarchies of communication systems (Fisher, 1987). Assumptions
4 A functional theory of imagined interactions explains their purpose in everyday encounters. When assuming a functional approach to analyzing imagined interactions, it is assumed that there may be therapeutic benefits at some level whether it is increased self-awareness, tension-relief, or feeling pleasant thoughts about the imagined interaction. Support for this assumption is available in studies reviewed by Honeycutt (2003), particularly in the use of mental imagery to alleviate depression.
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1. Frequency 2. Proactivity 3. Retroactivity (Timing of II in Relation to Actual Conversations) 4. Discrepancy 5. Self-Dominance 6. Valence 7. Variety 8. Specificity 6
1. Verbal 2. Visual 3. Direct perspective 4. Omniscient perspective 5. Mixed imagery 7
Quantitative, Experimental & Qualitative methods are used 1. Quantitative --Surveys (SII) 2. Experimental (Factorial designs) --Induced IIs (Introduce a pleasing/displeasing II topic & have the actual conversation) --Talk-out-loud procedure & written scripts --Physiological data is gathered including BP, heart- rate BPM, IBI, & wrist activity 3. Qualitative -- Interviews, Journals 8
1. Physiological music therapy study 2. Proactive/Retroactive IIs, Immediacy and Initial Attraction Toward Others on Social Media 3. IIs, Empathy, & Relational Maintenance among Deployed Soldiers 4. Emotions communicated while imaging 9
Thank you and may you have positively valenced IIs that serve a catharsis function! Look for the new book, Coping with trauma: Promoting mental health through imagery and imagined, edited by myself for Peter Lang Publishers in 2019. 10
Relational communication should involve interpersonal research which looks at interpersonal relationships as they evolve outside of direct relational encounters in terms of processes such as replaying relational events during time spent alone, planning future encounters, and remembering the pleasures of encounters. The study of imagined interactions has provided for a means of investigating such phenomena (Honeycutt, 2003; 2015). 11
Honeycutt and Sheldon (2018) discuss how relationship memory structures are hierarchically ordered on the basis of recall of particular scenes (e.g., meeting an individual for the first time at a specific place) and scripts for behavior embedded within various scenes. Peoples complex personal memories (scripts) create the bias people read into one anothers signals. When partners interact, they often think about what they are going to say in the form of IIs, mentally processing what has been said, sorting through their experiences to compare and contrast new information with their experience. 12
13
IIs can be used to manage conflict. Empathy, apology, and rumination are associated with forgiving (McCullough et al., 1998). Following a stressful event many individuals ruminate about the event which increases distress. 14
15 Zagacki et al. (1992) and Hample and his colleagues (2012) discovered that the most common case of reported IIs involve conflict. The topic most reported involved conflict, with those of dating, family, and friends following. With such a high occurrence of IIs involving conflict, it seems that much cognitive effort and time is invested in dealing with such topics. For example, Caprara (1986) and Collins and Bell (1997) report that aggression follows insult and threats to self-esteem. Ruminating over these intrusive thoughts maintains distress concerning the insult. Furthermore, some individuals have a desire to seek revenge against offenders even though base rates of seeking revenge are low. Approximately 8% of the U.S.population indicate that they seek revenge against an offender (Gorsuch & Hao, 1993). Yet, this figure may be too low because half of all interpersonal delinquency (e.g., fighting at school or work) is motivated by revenge and anger (Pfefferbaum & Wood, 1994).
16 Humor is an effective way to diffuse some conflict. Honeycutt and Brown (1998) examined the retroactive and proactive roles of IIs in marriage in terms of rehearsing jokes. While having a proactive II, a spouse may rehearse a joke before telling it to their partner. The couple then interacts, at which time the joke is shared. The joke-teller may experience retroactive IIs for the purpose of reviewing the positive and/or negative responses of their partner. This retroactive II may lead the person to further rehearse the joke hoping to improve delivery, decide to never try the joke again, or think of another person that may appreciate the joke (Honeycutt & Brown, 1998, p. 4). Thus, the spouse can rehearse or replay a past joke-telling interaction mentally for the purpose of becoming better prepared for the next interaction that may involve the telling of the joke..
IIs are used to plan messages. When used for rehearsal, IIs allow for a decrease in the number of silent pauses and shorter speech on-set latencies during actual encounters (Allen & Edwards, 1991a), and allow for an increase in message strategy variety (Allen & Edwards, 1991b). Individuals also report a decrease in the use of object adaptors when allowed to rehearse a message prior to real-life interaction as opposed to being distracted from rehearsal (Allen & Honeycutt, 1997). 17
Rehearsal Function Numerous studies suggest that IIs can be used strategically for rehearsing anticipated encounters and for relieving stress in such settings as forensics competition (review Honeycutt, 2015). Participants involved in forensics competition must be aware of the communication environment and in control of the messages they convey. The nature of such competition is that those most adept at such message conveyance receive the highest rewards. Competitors who were surveyed reported using IIs for rehearsal to prepare arguments and counter-arguments in debates. This suggests that IIs can be used to practice various messages when several possibilities exist for playing out of the interaction. 18
The original conception of imagined interaction for use in therapy recognized that imagining interaction that involves explaining ideas or relating information to another person aids in the clarification of the self. Imagined interactions may help to uncover opposing or differing aspects of the self. Zagacki and his associates (1992) indicated that those IIs involving conflict increase understanding of the self. Self- understanding involves more verbal imagery with the self playing a greater role in the II, or being more dominant. 19
Imagined interactions role in bettering self understanding was also revealed in research assessing the use of IIs by couples who were experiencing geographical separation. Geographically separated couples (GSCs) suggest they do experience IIs as a means for increasing self- understanding more than do couples who are not geographically separated (Allen, 1994). The results suggest that GSCs have a greater need to develop better understanding prior to interaction because of the limit on interaction time due to their geographic circumstances. 20
Imagined interactions have been recognized for their ability to relieve tension and reduce uncertainty about anothers actions. IIs are a means of emotional catharsis in counseling sessions as they serve an outlet for individuals to release unresolved tension. Patients had noted feeling less relational tension after having experienced IIs. 21
Allen and Berkos (1998) note that individuals use IIs as a means of getting things off their chest when they know that certain behaviors or the _expression of certain emotions is inappropriate in actual interactions. The use of IIs is also associated with a reduction in anxiety level (Allen & Honeycutt, 1997). When planning for an interaction, making use of IIs results in a lower occurrence of object adaptors. This seems to suggest that when one uses IIs, one experiences anxiety relief, perhaps experiencing a release of certain emotions in the form of catharsis. Honeycutt (1991) provides numerous accounts of individuals reporting how their IIs made them feel better and release anxiety. 22
Another function of IIs is that they serve to compensate for the lack of interaction. From their initial development, IIs have been purported to serve in the place of real interaction when it is not possible to actually communicate with a given individual. 23
Honeycutt (1989b) discusses the use of IIs as a means of compensation by the elderly who may not see their loved ones as often as they would like. For example, residents in retirement centers imagine talking with children as well imagine talking with friends who live at the center. Research focusing on geographically separated individuals and their increased use of IIs during separation for the purposes of coping provides additional support for the notion that IIs are used in the place of real interaction (Allen, 1994). 24

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Imagined interaction theory

  • 1. Process of social cognition using verbal and visual imagery in which individuals imagine themselves in anticipated and/or past communicative encounters with significant others (Honeycutt, 2003). This theory explains how people use mental imagery to deal with conflict and think about others which serve a variety of functions. Macro Theories: Symbolic Interactionism & Script Theory
  • 2. 2 Post-positivists believe that human knowledge is based on conjectures, assumptions, or premises. These are commonly referred to as basic beliefs (e.g., A person believes that long-term anxiety is detrimental to health). A variety of methods are triangulated in testing the theory out of the recognition that observations and measurements are inherently imperfect. IIs are measured through surveys, journals, and the use of a talk- out-loud procedure, in which individuals role play their imaginary dialogues with interaction partners prior to talking with them (see Honeycutt, 2003, 2018). Numerous studies have tested hypotheses and theorems devoted to functions of IIs (see Honeycutt, 2015, for a review).
  • 3. 3 A core feature of II theory is its reliance on intrapersonal communication as the foundation that other types of communication rest on because it concerns individual processing of information. Intrapersonal communication involves the physiological and psychological processing of messages that happen within people as they attempt to understand themselves within their environment (Cunningham, 1989). Regardless if one speaks of dyadic, interpersonal, small group, organizational, societal, cultural, or mass communication, the individual processing of information is nested within all hierarchies of communication systems (Fisher, 1987). Assumptions
  • 4. 4 A functional theory of imagined interactions explains their purpose in everyday encounters. When assuming a functional approach to analyzing imagined interactions, it is assumed that there may be therapeutic benefits at some level whether it is increased self-awareness, tension-relief, or feeling pleasant thoughts about the imagined interaction. Support for this assumption is available in studies reviewed by Honeycutt (2003), particularly in the use of mental imagery to alleviate depression.
  • 5. 5
  • 6. 1. Frequency 2. Proactivity 3. Retroactivity (Timing of II in Relation to Actual Conversations) 4. Discrepancy 5. Self-Dominance 6. Valence 7. Variety 8. Specificity 6
  • 7. 1. Verbal 2. Visual 3. Direct perspective 4. Omniscient perspective 5. Mixed imagery 7
  • 8. Quantitative, Experimental & Qualitative methods are used 1. Quantitative --Surveys (SII) 2. Experimental (Factorial designs) --Induced IIs (Introduce a pleasing/displeasing II topic & have the actual conversation) --Talk-out-loud procedure & written scripts --Physiological data is gathered including BP, heart- rate BPM, IBI, & wrist activity 3. Qualitative -- Interviews, Journals 8
  • 9. 1. Physiological music therapy study 2. Proactive/Retroactive IIs, Immediacy and Initial Attraction Toward Others on Social Media 3. IIs, Empathy, & Relational Maintenance among Deployed Soldiers 4. Emotions communicated while imaging 9
  • 10. Thank you and may you have positively valenced IIs that serve a catharsis function! Look for the new book, Coping with trauma: Promoting mental health through imagery and imagined, edited by myself for Peter Lang Publishers in 2019. 10
  • 11. Relational communication should involve interpersonal research which looks at interpersonal relationships as they evolve outside of direct relational encounters in terms of processes such as replaying relational events during time spent alone, planning future encounters, and remembering the pleasures of encounters. The study of imagined interactions has provided for a means of investigating such phenomena (Honeycutt, 2003; 2015). 11
  • 12. Honeycutt and Sheldon (2018) discuss how relationship memory structures are hierarchically ordered on the basis of recall of particular scenes (e.g., meeting an individual for the first time at a specific place) and scripts for behavior embedded within various scenes. Peoples complex personal memories (scripts) create the bias people read into one anothers signals. When partners interact, they often think about what they are going to say in the form of IIs, mentally processing what has been said, sorting through their experiences to compare and contrast new information with their experience. 12
  • 13. 13
  • 14. IIs can be used to manage conflict. Empathy, apology, and rumination are associated with forgiving (McCullough et al., 1998). Following a stressful event many individuals ruminate about the event which increases distress. 14
  • 15. 15 Zagacki et al. (1992) and Hample and his colleagues (2012) discovered that the most common case of reported IIs involve conflict. The topic most reported involved conflict, with those of dating, family, and friends following. With such a high occurrence of IIs involving conflict, it seems that much cognitive effort and time is invested in dealing with such topics. For example, Caprara (1986) and Collins and Bell (1997) report that aggression follows insult and threats to self-esteem. Ruminating over these intrusive thoughts maintains distress concerning the insult. Furthermore, some individuals have a desire to seek revenge against offenders even though base rates of seeking revenge are low. Approximately 8% of the U.S.population indicate that they seek revenge against an offender (Gorsuch & Hao, 1993). Yet, this figure may be too low because half of all interpersonal delinquency (e.g., fighting at school or work) is motivated by revenge and anger (Pfefferbaum & Wood, 1994).
  • 16. 16 Humor is an effective way to diffuse some conflict. Honeycutt and Brown (1998) examined the retroactive and proactive roles of IIs in marriage in terms of rehearsing jokes. While having a proactive II, a spouse may rehearse a joke before telling it to their partner. The couple then interacts, at which time the joke is shared. The joke-teller may experience retroactive IIs for the purpose of reviewing the positive and/or negative responses of their partner. This retroactive II may lead the person to further rehearse the joke hoping to improve delivery, decide to never try the joke again, or think of another person that may appreciate the joke (Honeycutt & Brown, 1998, p. 4). Thus, the spouse can rehearse or replay a past joke-telling interaction mentally for the purpose of becoming better prepared for the next interaction that may involve the telling of the joke..
  • 17. IIs are used to plan messages. When used for rehearsal, IIs allow for a decrease in the number of silent pauses and shorter speech on-set latencies during actual encounters (Allen & Edwards, 1991a), and allow for an increase in message strategy variety (Allen & Edwards, 1991b). Individuals also report a decrease in the use of object adaptors when allowed to rehearse a message prior to real-life interaction as opposed to being distracted from rehearsal (Allen & Honeycutt, 1997). 17
  • 18. Rehearsal Function Numerous studies suggest that IIs can be used strategically for rehearsing anticipated encounters and for relieving stress in such settings as forensics competition (review Honeycutt, 2015). Participants involved in forensics competition must be aware of the communication environment and in control of the messages they convey. The nature of such competition is that those most adept at such message conveyance receive the highest rewards. Competitors who were surveyed reported using IIs for rehearsal to prepare arguments and counter-arguments in debates. This suggests that IIs can be used to practice various messages when several possibilities exist for playing out of the interaction. 18
  • 19. The original conception of imagined interaction for use in therapy recognized that imagining interaction that involves explaining ideas or relating information to another person aids in the clarification of the self. Imagined interactions may help to uncover opposing or differing aspects of the self. Zagacki and his associates (1992) indicated that those IIs involving conflict increase understanding of the self. Self- understanding involves more verbal imagery with the self playing a greater role in the II, or being more dominant. 19
  • 20. Imagined interactions role in bettering self understanding was also revealed in research assessing the use of IIs by couples who were experiencing geographical separation. Geographically separated couples (GSCs) suggest they do experience IIs as a means for increasing self- understanding more than do couples who are not geographically separated (Allen, 1994). The results suggest that GSCs have a greater need to develop better understanding prior to interaction because of the limit on interaction time due to their geographic circumstances. 20
  • 21. Imagined interactions have been recognized for their ability to relieve tension and reduce uncertainty about anothers actions. IIs are a means of emotional catharsis in counseling sessions as they serve an outlet for individuals to release unresolved tension. Patients had noted feeling less relational tension after having experienced IIs. 21
  • 22. Allen and Berkos (1998) note that individuals use IIs as a means of getting things off their chest when they know that certain behaviors or the _expression of certain emotions is inappropriate in actual interactions. The use of IIs is also associated with a reduction in anxiety level (Allen & Honeycutt, 1997). When planning for an interaction, making use of IIs results in a lower occurrence of object adaptors. This seems to suggest that when one uses IIs, one experiences anxiety relief, perhaps experiencing a release of certain emotions in the form of catharsis. Honeycutt (1991) provides numerous accounts of individuals reporting how their IIs made them feel better and release anxiety. 22
  • 23. Another function of IIs is that they serve to compensate for the lack of interaction. From their initial development, IIs have been purported to serve in the place of real interaction when it is not possible to actually communicate with a given individual. 23
  • 24. Honeycutt (1989b) discusses the use of IIs as a means of compensation by the elderly who may not see their loved ones as often as they would like. For example, residents in retirement centers imagine talking with children as well imagine talking with friends who live at the center. Research focusing on geographically separated individuals and their increased use of IIs during separation for the purposes of coping provides additional support for the notion that IIs are used in the place of real interaction (Allen, 1994). 24