Association between visual imagery characteristics and vividness ratings: examining one component of imagery experience in vividness measurement scales

This study examined the associations between visual imagery characteristics and vividness ratings in vividness measurement scales, focusing on one components of imagery experience identified in qualitative research. Participants (N = 285) completed the visual items of the Japanese version of the Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire (Psi-Q) and answered questions about their imagery characteristics. Linear mixed model analysis revealed that perceptual realism, presence, and source were significantly associated with vividness ratings. Visual imagery was rated as more vivid when it was based on actual experience, photorealistic, and accompanied by a strong sense of presence. The associations between these characteristics and vividness ratings varied across recall items, suggesting that validity of vividness measurement scales may be affected by their distribution. These findings indicate the necessity of carefully selecting recall items when developing vividness measurement scales, especially for clinical applications.