Polish Validation of the Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS): Psychometric Characteristics and Relationships with Risk Propensity

Abstract

In three studies, we developed the Polish version of the Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS), which measures individual differences in people's spontaneous use of mental imagery in everyday situations. The SUIS-PL consists of nine items with very good internal consistency and validity. For example, it shows a moderate correlation with the vividness of mental images and with temperamental traits related to the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behavioral Approach System (BAS). We also investigated the relationship between the SUIS-PL and measures of risk perception and willingness to take risks, showing the possible applicability of the scale in this context. Interestingly, we found that people with higher scores in the SUIS-PL were generally more willing to take risks, suggesting that they may spontaneously imagine positive, rather than negative, aspects of risky situations.