Representing 3D Space in Working Memory: Spatial Images from Vision, Hearing, Touch, and Language

The chapter deals with a form of transient spatial representation referred to as a spatial image. Like a percept, it is externalized, scaled to the environment, and can appear in any direction about the observer. It transcends the concept of modality, as it can be based on inputs from the three spatial senses, from language, and from long-term memory. Evidence is presented that supports each of the claimed properties of the spatial image, showing that it is quite different from a visual image. Much of the evidence presented is based on spatial updating. A major concern is whether spatial images from different input modalities are functionally equivalent— that once instantiated in working memory, the spatial images from different modalities have the same functional characteristics with respect to subsequent processing, such as that involved in spatial updating. Going further, the research provides some evidence that spatial images are amodal (i.e., do not retain modality-specific features)

Individual Differences in Visualization and Childhood Play Preferences

This data is from “Individual Differences in Visualization and Childhood Play Preferences” study

Visual-object ability: A new dimension of non-verbal intelligence

10.1016/j.cognition.2010.08.021Cognition1173276-301CGTN

Individual Differences in Visualization and Childhood Play Preferences

This data is from “Individual Differences in Visualization and Childhood Play Preferences” study.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Object-spatial imagery and verbal cognitive styles in children and adolescents: Developmental trajectories in relation to ability

10.1016/j.lindif.2010.11.012Learning and Individual Differences213281-287LIDI

Individual differences in object versus spatial imagery: from neural correlates to real-world applications

This chapter focuses on individual differences in object and spatial–visual imagery both from theoretical and applied perspectives. While object imagery refers to representations of the literal appearances of individual objects and scenes in terms of their shape, color, and texture, spatial imagery refers to representations of the spatial relations among objects, locations of objects in space, movements of objects and their parts, and other complex spatial transformations. First, we review cognitive neuroscience and psychology research regarding the dissociation between object and spatial–visual imagery. Next, we discuss evidence on how this dissociation extends to individual differences in object and spatial imagery, followed by a discussion showing that individual differences in object and spatial imagery follow different developmental courses. After that we focus on cognitive and educational research that provides ecological validation of the object–spatial distinction in individual differences—in particular, on the relationship of object and spatial–visual abilities to mathematics and science problem solving and then to object–spatial imagery differences between members of different professions. Finally, we discuss applications of the object–spatial dissociation in imagery for applied fields, such as personnel selection, training, and education