Abstract
Confidence in one’s ability to perform an action can be inflated through repeated observation of someone else successfully performing. However, motor imagery (MI) – cognitive simulation of visual or kinesthetic components of movement – after action observation (AO), can reduce this inflation of confidence. To test the role of MI in providing better accuracy about current ability, we instructed kinesthetic MI concurrently with AO (‘AOMI’), following an observation-only period, where we expected confidence to plateau or decrease. We also tested individuals with impaired visual MI, termed aphantasia. It is unclear if kinesthetic MI is also impaired in these individuals, but if it is, confidence should not be moderated with the addition of MI. Through an online platform, two novice groups (non-aphantasic, n = 23; aphantasic, n = 3) observed an actor perform a 2-ball juggling cycle and rated confidence in their ability to replicate the movement. After 15 observation trials, participants engaged in AOMI while watching 15 more videos and rating confidence. The non-aphantasia group increased confidence from trial 1 to 15 as expected (d = 0.32). Two individuals in the aphantasia group also increased confidence when watching (one showed no change). When MI was introduced, there was no further increase in confidence for the non-aphantasic group (as predicted), but this was also true for the aphantasic participants. Testing is ongoing and will include an “observation-throughout” control group. Our aim is to learn more about MI mechanisms, especially regarding the alignment of perceived and actual ability, and MI ability in aphantasics.
