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Imagery and Cravings

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Multisensory Imagery

Abstract

Craving has been a much researched topic for several decades. However, research into its imagery basis is relatively new. This chapter reviews recent literature in support of a role for mental imagery in craving. In particular, it presents converging evidence from anecdotal reports and laboratory studies that sensory images are a key feature of any craving experience. Additionally, it describes empirical work showing that imagery can be used to induce cravings. Importantly, the chapter also reviews empirical data which show that imagery can conversely be used to reduce cravings. The latter is all the more important in view of the potentially negative consequences that can arise from cravings.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported under the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Project funding scheme (project number DP0664435).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Flinders University, 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia

    Eva Kemps & Marika Tiggemann

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  1. Eva Kemps
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  2. Marika Tiggemann
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Correspondence to Eva Kemps .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, WOODRUFF CIRCLE WMB 6207 101, ATLANTA, 30329, Georgia, USA

    Simon Lacey

  2. , School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, Montserrat

    Rebecca Lawson

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Kemps, E., Tiggemann, M. (2013). Imagery and Cravings. In: Lacey, S., Lawson, R. (eds) Multisensory Imagery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5879-1_20

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