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Beyond self-report: Measuring visual, auditory, and tactile mental imagery using a mental comparison task

DOI: 10.3758/s13428-024-02496-z
Suggate, S. P. (2024). Beyond self-report: measuring visual, auditory, and tactile mental imagery using a mental comparison task. Behavior Research Methods, 56(8), 8658–8676. doi:10.3758/s13428-024-02496-z

Abstract

Finding a reliable and objective measure of individual differences in mental imagery across sensory modalities is difficult, with measures relying on self-report scales or focusing on one modality alone. Based on the idea that mental imagery involves multimodal sensorimotor simulations, a mental comparison task (MCT) was developed across three studies and tested on adults (n = 96, 345, and 448). Analyses examined: (a) the internal consistency of the MCT, (b) whether lexical features of the MCT stimuli (word length and frequency) predicted performance, (c) whether the MCT related to two widely used self-report scales, (d) response latencies and accuracies across the visual, auditory, and tactile modalities, and (e) whether MCT performance was independent of processing speed. The MCT showed evidence of reliability and validity. Responses were fastest and most accurate for the visual modality, followed by the auditory and tactile. However, consistent with the idea that self-report questionnaires index a different aspect of mental imagery, the MCT showed minimal correlations with self-report imagery. Finally, relations between MCT scales remained strong after controlling for processing speed. Findings are discussed in relation to current understanding and measurement of mental imagery.

Authors

  • Sebastian Paul Suggate2

Understanding Mental Imagery: A New Approach

Overview/Introduction

Mental imagery is the ability to create pictures or sensations in the mind without any external input. It's like imagining a sunset or the feel of a soft fabric. Traditionally, scientists have used questionnaires to measure how good people are at this, but these can be unreliable because they rely on personal reports. To tackle this, researchers developed a new tool called the Mental Comparison Task (MCT). This tool aims to objectively measure mental imagery across different senses, like sight, sound, and touch.

Methodology

The MCT was tested through three studies involving hundreds of adult participants. Here's how it worked:
  • Participants were asked to imagine two items and decide which one had a specific sensory property (e.g., "Which is shinier, a trumpet or a violin?").
  • The task measured how quickly and accurately participants responded.
  • The MCT was compared to traditional self-report questionnaires to see how well they matched.

Key Findings

  • Reliability and Validity: The MCT proved to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring mental imagery.
  • Speed and Accuracy: Participants were fastest and most accurate with visual tasks, followed by auditory and tactile tasks.
  • Comparison with Self-Reports: The MCT showed minimal correlation with self-report questionnaires, suggesting it measures a different aspect of mental imagery.
  • Independence from Processing Speed: The MCT's results were consistent even when accounting for general processing speed, indicating it measures something unique about mental imagery.

Implications

  • Objective Measurement: The MCT offers a more objective way to measure mental imagery, which could be useful in various fields like psychology, education, and neuroscience.
  • Understanding Individual Differences: By providing a clearer picture of how people experience mental imagery, the MCT could help tailor educational and therapeutic approaches to individual needs.
  • Potential for Broader Research: This tool opens up new avenues for research into how mental imagery affects learning and cognitive processes.

Limitations

  • Sample Size and Diversity: The studies primarily involved university students, which may not represent the general population.
  • Task Complexity: While simpler than some existing tasks, the MCT still requires participants to process verbal instructions, which might affect results.
In conclusion, the MCT represents a promising step forward in understanding mental imagery. By providing a more objective measure, it could enhance our understanding of how people visualize and imagine, leading to practical applications in education and mental health.