Mental Imagery in the Use of Knowledge (Visual, Mediation, Introspection, Functionalism)
Pani, John Robert
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/77431
Description
Title
Mental Imagery in the Use of Knowledge (Visual, Mediation, Introspection, Functionalism)
Author(s)
Pani, John Robert
Issue Date
1985
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Psychology, Experimental
Language
eng
Abstract
Inconsistency in the occurrence of mental imagery has been a traditional source of debate in psychology. This dissertation examines causal relationships between mental imagery and knowledge in order to predict use of imagery. It is suggested that mental images are a type of conscious mediation. They occur when knowledge cannot progress from an input situation directly to a cognitive goal. That is, images are produced as intermediate outputs that add to input information and enable further use of knowledge. Imagery is not produced if and when a more efficient source of information is available. Experimental results are reported that confirm two hypotheses derived from this mediationist/functionalist view. In one experiment, dependence on visual imagery increased as a visual recognition task was made more difficult. In a second experiment, dependence on visual imagery decreased as subjects had more experience with the materials used in the recognition task. It is concluded that careful attention to the functional context of imagery will allow theorists to account for variation in the occurrence of imagery. It is pointed out that the results of this research support the two-factor theory of recognition memory. This research program included systematic design of introspective methods that meet traditional criticisms of this type of measure.
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