VERBAL HALLUCINATIONS IN NORMALS .2. SELF-REPORTED IMAGERY VIVIDNESS

Two studies are reported testing the hypothesis that individuals in the general population who report frequent verbal hallucinations have vivid imagery. In each study, 31 hallucinators and 31 nonhallucinators were selected based on scores from the Verbal Hallucination Questionnaire (Barrett & Etheridge, 1992 Applied Cognitive Psychology, 6, 379 387). In Study 1, subjects completed the Betts QMI Vividness of Imagery Scale. In study 2, each individual completed a Control of Imagery Questionnaire. The results of these two studies suggested that verbal hallucinators have more vivid imagery than nonhallucinators, but not better control of their images. It was suggested that vivid imagery may be one of the factors underlying reports of hallucinations by individuals in the general population.