A RESEARCH NOTE ON MENTAL IMAGERY IN THE BLIND IN TERMS OF REASSESSMENT AT A 9-YEAR INTERVAL

A longitudinal study was undertaken to assess the development of several types of imagery in an adult who has been blind for 12 years. Various imagery tests were carried out to measure: visual, auditory, tactile, kinaesthetic, gustatory, olfactory, and organic imagery; movement imagery; and control imagery. Image vividness related to vision was found to decline over time whereas image vividness related to other senses increased or remained stable. Further research is proposed. One of the main issues in the study of blind people is whether they can use mental imagery. Most authors agree that congenitally blind people show only slight differences in performance as compared to sighted individuals in performing tasks requiring the use of mental imagery (Arditi, Holtzman, &amp