Causes Of Individual Differences In Mental Imagery

Abstract

Previous work has shown that the degree to which individuals can recruit mental imagery in a variety of tasks varies widely. These differences in self-reported mental imagery can be the result of mental imagery being an innate or training-based skillset. The MAE (Motion After Effect) a tool for implicitly measuring mental imagery, was used to assess whether repeated dynamic imagery training can strengthen mental imagery ability. Using stimuli adapted from the research of Winawer & Huk, participants MAE magnitude was calculated based on their individual responses to ambiguously moving dots after a period of imagined motion. These measures were taken twice over the course of 3 days in conjunction with dynamic imagery training exercises. Data collected from the dynamic imagery training exercises and MAE assessments suggested that dynamic imagery training had no significant effect on an individual’s mental imagery ability. The analysis results for both score progression in the training exercises and the increase in MAE size showed promising positive trends indicating the need for further research.