Differences between Spatial and Visual Mental Representations

Frontiers in Psychology

Jan Frederik Sima¹ 

关键词: mental representation;    mental imagery;    mental models;    preferred mental models;    visual mental representation;    spatial mental representation;    eye tracking;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00240

学科分类：心理学（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

This article investigates the relationship between visual mental representations and spatial mental representations in human visuo-spatial processing. By comparing two common theories of visuo-spatial processing – mental model theory and the theory of mental imagery – we identified two open questions: (1) which representations are modality-specific, and (2) what is the role of the two representations in reasoning. Two experiments examining eye movements and preferences for under-specified problems were conducted to investigate these questions. We found that significant spontaneous eye movements along the processed spatial relations occurred only when a visual mental representation is employed, but not with a spatial mental representation. Furthermore, the preferences for the answers of the under-specified problems differed between the two mental representations. The results challenge assumptions made by mental model theory and the theory of mental imagery.

【 授权许可】

CC BY