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An Exploratory Study Comparing Goal-Oriented Mental Imagery with Daily To-Do Lists: Supporting College Student Success

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Abstract

Although to-do lists are a ubiquitous daily planning tool there is limited information on users’ perceptions of this method. Another resource to support goal-oriented planning is mental imagery. A substantial body of research shows the utility of mental imagery in the domains of healthcare, sports, business and education. Imagery has been shown to enhance goal-oriented behavior, and along with primed positive affect, to enhance persistence and coping. For the purpose of comparison, a sample of 214 college students practiced either a goal-oriented mental imagery technique or a to-do list technique on alternate days for two weeks. On mental imagery days students were significantly more likely to report a sense of accomplishment, ease, coping, and positive affect, compared with to-do list days. Qualitative comments provided additional informative detail showing to-do list days to be associated with a task orientation, greater dissatisfaction with underachievement, and higher levels of perceived stress and negative affect. While the study shows benefit for both mental imagery and to-do lists, a tenable conclusion from the results is that a combination of the two methods may actually yield the greatest benefit. Used in tandem the methods provide a synergistic orientation to daily tasks with a heightened sense of positive affect and expectancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Education HSS327, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA

    Adam Burke

  2. Liberal Studies, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA

    Cristi Shanahan

  3. School of Nursing, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA

    Eka Herlambang

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  1. Adam Burke
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  2. Cristi Shanahan
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  3. Eka Herlambang
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Correspondence to Adam Burke.

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Burke, A., Shanahan, C. & Herlambang, E. An Exploratory Study Comparing Goal-Oriented Mental Imagery with Daily To-Do Lists: Supporting College Student Success. Curr Psychol 33, 20–34 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-013-9193-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-013-9193-2

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