Lecture 12 Imagery

Imagery

Mental recreations of sensory information from the outside world.

Spatial Representation

The idea that visual information is represented in an analog, spatial format.

Propositional Representation

The idea that visual information is represented by language-like, abstract propositions.

Retrieval

The process of accessing information from memory.

Picture Superiority Effect

Memory for pictures is superior to memory for words of the same concepts.

Concreteness Effect

Memory for concrete concepts is superior to memory for abstract concepts.

Bizarreness Effect

Memory for unusual images is superior to memory for typical images.

Mnemonics

Imagery can be used intentionally to improve memory with certain mnemonics.

Method of Loci

Images of to-be-remembered information are attached to locations in a familiar place.

Pegword Mnemonics

Ordinal words are paired with rhymed pegwords to create images of pegwords and the to-be-remembered items interacting.

Wayfinding

An important tool for many problem-solving tasks that involves navigating environments.

Scenographic Imagery

An image of the environment based on landmarks encountered in that environment along a navigated route.

Abstract Imagery

An image of the environment based on an overview of the entire environment.

Nonvisual Imagery

Imagery that can also be created for other modalities.

Auditory Imagery

Represents auditory information which is held and manipulated in the phonological loop.

Motor Imagery

Represents physical actions that can often be difficult to convert into verbal codes.

Dual-Coding Theory

The theory that pictures produce automatic encoding in two modalities compared to a single verbal code for words.

Picture Superiority Effect (Auditory)

Superior memory for sounds than for spoken labels of those sounds.

Mental Images

Constructed images without directly experiencing an object or event.

Effects of Size on Mental Processing

It takes longer to mentally travel across larger distances or to mentally rotate larger objects.

Distinctiveness of Bizarre Images

The distinctiveness of bizarre images compared to more typical images enhances memory.

Imagery in Memory

Imagery has consequences for the encoding and retrieval of information from memory.

Imagery and Problem Solving

Imagery plays an important role in problem-solving tasks.