imagery

Question 1

define visual imagery

Answer 1

experiencing a sensory impression in the absence of sensory input

“seeing” something without an actual visual stimulus

Question 2

visual vs mental imagery

Answer 2

visual - experiencing a sensory impression in the absence of sensory input (under mental imagery)

Mental imagery - broader term that includes all senses including auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory imagery
eg. Imagine hearing a song in your mind (auditory), feeling the texture of fabric (tactile), or imagining the taste of lemon (gustatory)

Question 3

give an example of visual imagery

Answer 3

Imagine a red apple. Even though you’re not looking at one right now, you can still “see” it in your mind.

Question 4

2 examples of visual imagery mentioned in tb

Answer 4

Kekule’s discovery of the benzene structure

Einstein’s thought experiments

Question 5

Competitors at the Olympics use _______ imagery to visualize downhill ski runs, snowboarding moves, bobsled turns, and speedskating races

Answer 5

mental, because includes all senses

Question 6

why did Behaviourism perspsective, dominant from the 1920s-1950s, rejected imagery study?

Answer 6

couldn’t be directly observed or measured

not suitable for scientific study because they didn’t fit behaviourist’s empirical, observable criteria.

Question 7

The _________ revolution in ______ brought imagery back into focus, using ________ behaviors to infer ______ processes

Answer 7

cogntiive; 1950s; measurable; cognitive

Question 8

are concrete or abstract nouns easier to remember?

Answer 8

concrete (alan paivio)

Question 9

Alan Paivio’s work showed concrete nouns (easy to image) are easier to remember than abstract ones.

this leads to Paivio’s _________hypothesis: concrete nouns (dog) create images that other abstract words (loyal) can “hang onto”.

Answer 9

conceptual peg

Question 10

conceptual peg hypothesis

Answer 10

concrete nouns (dog) form vivid mental images, which then help in the retrieval and recall of more abstract concepts (loyalty) by providing a mental “peg” to hold onto

Question 11

Shepard & Metzler used ________ (measuring time for cognitive tasks) and __________ to study imagery.

method

result

Answer 11

mental chronometry; mental rotation

Method: measured rxn time it took for participants to respond to tasks involving mental rotation of objects.

Result: time taken to identify if two objects were the same or different increased with the degree of rotation, supporting the idea that people mentally rotate images.

Question 12

main similiarity of imagery and perception

Answer 12

both involve spatial representation of stimuli

**
Spatial Representation: In both imagery (what we see or imagine in our mind) and perception (what we see with our eyes in the world), we mentally represent objects and scenes in space. This means that the way we organize and interact with these representations in our mind is similar to how we perceive and interact with objects in the real world.

Question 13

2 mental scanning experiments by kossyln & others done to support similarity between imagery and perception (both involve ____)

participants were asked to __________.

findings in 1973:

findings in 1978:

Answer 13

spatial representation of stimuli

memorize an image and then mentally scan it for specific details

1973 - takes longer to find parts of an image that are further from the initial focus point

1978 - When participants were asked to scan a mental map, it took longer to scan greater distances on the map

Question 14

1973 kossyln & others mental scanning expt where participants memorise images then mentally scan them for specific details,

finding: takes longer to find parts of an image that are further from the initial focus point

suggests?

Answer 14

imagery is spatial

the mental “scan” is more like physically scanning an image

if a part of the image is farther away, it takes longer to mentally reach it, similar to how it would take longer to physically scan a larger area

Question 15

1978 kossyln & others mental scanning expt where participants memorise images then mentally scan them for specific details,

finding: When participants were asked to scan a mental map, it took longer to scan greater distances on the map

suggests?

Answer 15

spatial nature of imagery

If imagery were more abstract/non-spatial, the time to scan a mental map wouldn’t depend on the distance between locations

ppl taking longer to scan greater distances indicates that mental imagery involves a spatial relationship.

Question 16

what is the imagery debate?

Answer 16

1) Kosslyn’s work supports spatial (depictive) representation—parts of an image correspond to specific locations in space.

2) Pylyshyn argued that the spatial experience of imagery is an epiphenomenon (byproduct of main phenomenon).

• proposed propositional representations (like statements, non-spatial) — r/s btwn objects, concepts & events represented by abstract symbols.
• suggests that scanning time is not based on physical distance, but the number of links between parts of an image (more complex r/s –> longer scanning process).

Question 17

Pylyshyn’s ______ approach suggests that scanning time is not based on _________, but the number of ______ between parts of an image (more ________ r/s –> longer scanning process).

Answer 17

propositional
physical distance
links
complex

Question 18

Mental images that are _________ in our ________ are easier to inspect and analyze.

Answer 18

larger; mental visual field

Question 19

Mental images that are larger in our “mental visual field” are easier to inspect and analyze.

which 2 experiments demonstates this?

Answer 19

1. kossyln expt (1978)
2. Mental Walk Task

Question 20

what is the Mental Walk Task?

method

result

implication

Answer 20

by kossyln - how we “move” through our mental images, supports idea that Mental images that are larger in our “mental visual field” are easier to inspect and analyze.

method: participants were asked to imagine walking toward a mental image of an object (e.g., an animal)

results:
1. Participants moved closer to smaller objects (like a tiny rabbit) in their mental imagery before the image would overflow (become blurry or too large to hold in the mental visual field)
2. In contrast, they could stand farther away from larger objects (like an elephant) before the image would overflow.

implication:
- mimicked real perception
- irl, we have to get closer to small objects to see more details
- we can perceive larger objects from a greater distance without losing detail.

Question 21

the Kosslyn (1978) Experiment supports idea that Mental images that are larger in our “mental visual field” are easier to inspect and analyze.

describe

Answer 21

Kosslyn (1978) Experiment:

participants were asked to imagine a rabbit next to a fly.
- quicker to answer questions about rabbit when it was imagined as large and filling their mental field of view
- When rabbit was imagined as smaller, it took longer to answer questions about it

participants answered questions about an object (eg. rabbit) faster when the object filled a larger part of their mental visual field.

demonstrated that larger mental images allow for easier and faster processing, much like in real-life perception

Question 22

what are 2 studies showing interactions of imagery and perception?

Answer 22

1) Perky (1910): Mistaking Perception for Imagery - imagery and perception use similar mental processes, since participants confused a real (but faint) image with their mental image.

2) Farah (1985): Imagery Enhances Perception
Task - imagery “primes” the brain to better detect matching stimuli. implies that visual imagery and perception share underlying brain mechanisms — imagining a shape or letter can boost your ability to perceive it in the real world.

Question 23

on interaction btwn imagery n perception, Perky (1910): Mistaking Perception for Imagery

method

result

desmonstrates?

Answer 23

method: Participants were asked to imagine specific objects (like a banana) on a blank screen. Unbeknownst to them, a very faint, dim image of the object they were imagining was projected onto the screen.

result: Participants reported “seeing” the image they were imagining, but didn’t realize that it was actually being faintly projected.

demonstartes: imagery and perception use similar mental processes, since participants confused a real (but faint) image with their mental image.

Question 24

on interaction btwn imagery n perception, Farah (1985): Imagery Enhances Perception
Task

method

result

desmonstrates?

Answer 24

method: Participants were asked to imagine a letter (e.g., H or T), and then a real faint letter was briefly flashed on the screen. They had to say whether the letter appeared or not.

result: Participants were more accurate at detecting the letter if they had been imagining the same letter beforehand.

demonstrates: imagery “primes” the brain to better detect matching stimuli. implies that visual imagery and perception share underlying brain mechanisms — imagining a shape or letter can boost your ability to perceive it in the real world.

Question 25

__________ in the medial temporal lobe respond similarly to perceiving and imagining an object

Answer 25

imagery neurons

Question 26

imagery neurons in the _________ respond similarly to perceiving and imagining an object

Answer 26

medial temporal lobe

Question 27

imagery neurons in the medial temporal lobe respond similarly to _______ and ______ an object

Answer 27

perceiving; imagining

Question 28

brain imaging on imagery found that: 4 points

Answer 28

1. both perception and imagery activate the visual cortex 2. creating larger mental images causes activity to spread toward the front of the visual cortex, similar to perception 3. overlapping activation for perception and imagery in the frontal lobe, but perception activates more of the visual cortex 4. visual imagery decreases activity in areas associated with nonvisual stimuli.

Question 29

what is MVPA

Answer 29

Multivoxel Pattern Analysis (Johnson & Johnson, 2014) - classifier trained to associate voxel activation patterns with scenes - could predict what scene a participant was perceiving or imagining with above-chance accuracy

Question 30

TMS is? aka? what is TMS? is it a brain scan technique? Kossyln et al (1999) used TMS to the ________, slowing rxn times for both perception and imagery/ this suggests what?

Answer 30

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) aka temporary brain lesion disruption of normal brain activity (not scan) visual cortex - suggests visual cortex plays causal role in both perception and imagery

Question 31

what happens to image size if part of visual cortex is removes?

Answer 31

decreases in size

Question 32

patients with ___________ also neglect one side of their mental images

Answer 32

unilateral neglect

Question 33

Some patients have impaired imagery but intact perception, or vice versa - this is called?

Answer 33

double dissociations

Question 34

Double dissociations suggest that _____ and _________ are served by ________, but this contradicts other evidence. examples (just 2)

Answer 34

imagery; perception; different mechanisms 1) Guariglia et al. (1993) studied a patient with neglect in mental images but not in perception. - impaired imagery but intact perception 2) Behrmann et al. (1994) studied C.K., who had visual agnosia (intact visual perception but cannot identify objects by sight) but could draw from memory. - Impaired perception but intact imagery. 3) Farah et al (1988) studied R.M. who could recognize objects but was unable to draw objects from memory. - impaired imagery but intact perception

Question 35

conclusion of imagery debate is that: 4 points

Answer 35

imagery and perception are closely related and share some mechanisms Imagery requires effort, while perception is automatic Mental images are fragile compared to stable perceptions It is harder to manipulate mental images than perceptual images

Question 36

2 techniques in using imagery to improve memory

Answer 36

1. method of loci 2. pegword technique

Question 37

what is method of loci?

Answer 37

a mnemonic technique in using imagery to improve memory Things to be remembered are placed at different locations in a mental image of a spatial layout, then later you can "walk through" this place to retrieve memory (need spatial memory, association and imagery) usually combined with person, object, action technique - eg. to remember the word "lawyer," imagine a lawyer (person) holding a briefcase (object) and arguing in court (action) at your kitchen table (locus).

Question 38

method of loci is usually combined with which technique to enhance memory?

Answer 38

usually combined with person, object, action technique - eg. to remember the word "lawyer," imagine a lawyer (person) holding a briefcase (object) and arguing in court (action) at your kitchen table (locus).

Question 39

which technique in using imagery to improve memory is also dual coding (verbal + _____)?

Answer 39

dual coding theory (paivio): memory is enhanced/strengthened when encoded in 2 formats, verbal + visual Pegword Technique: 1. Create a list of nouns that rhyme with numbers (e.g., one–bun, two–shoe, etc.). 2. Associate items to be remembered with concrete words. 3. Pair each item with a pegword by creating a vivid image. 4. Create a vivid image of things to be remembered with the object represented by the word

Question 40

is there individual differences in visual imagery?

Answer 40

yes, people differ in their ability to use imagery

Question 41

2 kinds of individual differences in visual imagery. what are they?

Answer 41

1) Visualizers vs. Verbalizers: Some prefer imagery, others verbal-logical strategies. 2) Spatial Imagery vs. Object Imagery: - Spatial imagery: Ability to image spatial relations. - Object imagery: Ability to image visual details, features, or objects. - Kozhevnikov et al. (2005) used the paper folding test (PFT) for spatial imagery and the vividness of visual imagery questionnaire (VVIQ) for object imagery. - Spatial imagers excel at mental rotation tasks; object imagers at degraded pictures tasks. - Spatial ability is related to solving physics problems.

Question 42

Spatial Imagery vs. Object Imagery (an individual difference in visual imagery) Spatial imagery: Object imagery: Kozhevnikov et al. (2005) used the ________ (PFT) for ________ and the vividness of visual imagery questionnaire (VVIQ) for ________. - spatial imagers excel at ________; object imagers excel at _________ Spatial ability is related to solving _________.

Answer 42

individual difference in visual imagery - Spatial imagery: Ability to image spatial relations. - Object imagery: Ability to image visual details, features, or objects. - paper folding test; spatial imagery; object imagery - mental rotation tasks; degraded pictures tasks. - physics problems.

Question 43

what is the bouba-kiki effect?

Answer 43

- About sound-shape associations - Focuses on cross-modal perception: how your brain links sounds (auditory) with shapes (visual) - people naturally match sensory inputs (e.g., “kiki” sounds sharp, so it matches a spiky shape) Method: You're shown two shapes: 1) One is round and soft-looking 2) One is spiky and sharp You're also given two made-up words: 1) "Bouba" 2) "Kiki" You're asked: Which shape is Bouba? Which is Kiki? Result: Most People Answer: 1) "Bouba" = Round shape 2) "Kiki" = Spiky shape 3) Around 90–95% of people give the same answer—even across languages and cultures. Why: Because of sound symbolism—certain sounds "feel" like certain shapes: - Bouba uses soft, rounded sounds (B, O, U, A) - Kiki uses sharp, quick sounds (K, I) So your brain naturally matches the feel of the word to the feel of the shape. Implications: - our brains link sounds to meaning in intuitive ways. - process sound and visual info together (cross-modal perception). - Even young children and non-literate people show the effect—it's not learned, it's likely innate.

Question 44

define quasipictorial?

Answer 44

"quasipictorial" means that these mental representations appear like pictures, even though they are not literal pictures — just mental images or visual representations that resemble the kind of vivid, detailed imagery we see when looking at real-world objects

Question 45

in solving certain problems like (is the cat bigger than the dog? can an apple roll from here to there?), most people report “looking” at mental pictures. what is this called?

Answer 45

quasipictorial view

Question 46

define tacit-knowledge hypothesis.

Answer 46

tacit-knowledge hypothesis, when people participate in imagery experiments, they subconsciously infer what the experimenter expects of them and respond accordingly, rather than using imagery in the way researchers think they are. Pylyshyn argued that they might have done this in kosslyn's expts