Definition And Measurement Of Three Processes Of Imagery Representation: Exploratory Studies Of Verbally Stimulated Imagery

Three sets of experiments lend support to the hypothesis that there are at least three processes of imagery: (1) figural, in which a quasi-visual or other sensory representation of an object is made; (2) symbolic in which an abstract concepts is illustrated or symbolized by some imaginal representation; and (3) mimetic, in which a human experience is given a complex imaginal representation involving both envisionment and enactment or miming. Two types of scales for measuring stylistic differences in these three, processes are presented in detail. One type of scale is drawn from subjects' ratings of the ease and speed with which images are aroused by concrete, abstract, or personal words respectively. The other type of scale is drawn from subjects' ratings of the vividness of images aroused by various phrases specifically written to tap one or other of the hypothesized imagery processes. Two experiments are described in which the three processes are differentially activated by instructions as well as by type of stimulus material. In both experiments the expected interaction effects (between instructions and type of material) are found with p <.001.