ERIC Number: EJ844423
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0211-2159
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Visual Imagery without Visual Perception?
Bertolo, Helder
Psicologica: International Journal of Methodology and Experimental Psychology, v26 n1 p173-188 2005
The question regarding visual imagery and visual perception remain an open issue. Many studies have tried to understand if the two processes share the same mechanisms or if they are independent, using different neural substrates. Most research has been directed towards the need of activation of primary visual areas during imagery. Here we review some of the works providing evidence for both claims. It seems that studying visual imagery in blind subjects can be used as a way of answering some of those questions, namely if it is possible to have visual imagery without visual perception. We present results from the work of our group using visual activation in dreams and its relation with EEG's spectral components, showing that congenitally blind have visual contents in their dreams and are able to draw them; furthermore their Visual Activation Index is negatively correlated with EEG alpha power. This study supports the hypothesis that it is possible to have visual imagery without visual experience. (Contains 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Imagery, Visual Perception, Medicine, Blindness, Sleep, Memory, Human Body, Evaluation, Psychomotor Skills, Stimuli, Experiments, Correlation, Spatial Ability, Tactile Adaptation
University of Valencia. Dept. Metodologia, Facultad de Psicologia, Avda. Blasco Ibanez 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain. Tel: +34-96-386-4100; Web site: http://www.uv.es/revispsi/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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