Using Imagined Interaction Features to Predict Measures of Self-Awareness: Loneliness, Locus of Control, Self-Dominance, and Emotional Intensity

Abstract

Imagined interactions are covert dialogues that occur with significant others and are a part of the social cognition process. Imagined interactions may call up plans for anticipated encounters. Using a multidimensional instrument known as the “Survey of Imagined Interaction” (SII), the multivariate relationship between general characteristics of imagined interactions and various measures of self-awareness and emotional intensity were examined. Measures reflecting loneliness, locus of control, being dominant in an imagined interaction as well as feeling satisfied and pleasant with an imagined interaction were regressed on the general dimensions of the SII. Results from the regression models are discussed in terms of imagined interactions being associated with and possibly creating more self-awareness.