Visual imagery and individual differences

With the increased interest directed towards the study of inner experiences by contemporary psychologists, the role of visual imagery in cognitive processes has become the subject of renewed theoretical debate. Unitary theorists downplay the role of the visual image in thought processes, while dual-process theorists assert the importance of visual imagery in cognitive processes. This thesis examines the relationship between individual differences in visual imagery and performance on objective tasks. After a review of the history and varieties of visual imagery, four experiments are described in which performance on a variety of tasks is related to individual differences in the controllability and vividness of visual imagery ability. It is demonstrated that individual differences in visual imagery have important manifestations in the performance of certain tasks. The results are interpreted in terms of a dual-process model. The similarity between visual perception and visual imaging is examined. The nature of, and the benefits of developing and using visual imagery abilities are also discussed