Effect of Thirst on Stimulus Recovery and Spontaneous Imagery 1

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of thirst on both drive-related stimulus recovery and spontaneous imagery. Three stimulus conditions were shown pictures of a beer mug, a similarly-shaped male profile, or a blank slide, respectively. Half of the Ss in each condition were made quite thirsty. Images drawn by Ss were evaluated either for recovery of initially unreported stimulus elements or for thirst-related features. The results failed to show any increase in recovery of the related Mug picture due to the thirst-state. However, analysis of the Blank-slide condition demonstrated that thirst did enhance the production of spontaneous imagery with water content. These results on water imagery were related to somewhat similar studies on hunger. "Set" effects, inadequate drive intensity, and inhibitory aspects of the stimulus were among the explanations of the failure of thirst to improve recovery.

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