The capacity to form images is generally measured by means of questionnaires based on self-evaluation, despite the limitations of this approach. Here we describe a new performance-based test, the Vividness of Visual Imagery Test, designed for assessing imaging capacity of adults. There are 21 items, each of which requires the subject first to visualize a certain object, then to choose between a correct and an incorrect description of that object. For 351 university students Cronbach α was .58 and validity of the test also requires further work.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BennettG. K.SeashoreM. G.WesmanA. G. (1947) Differential Aptitude Tests. New York: Psychological Corp.
2.
BettsG. H. (1909) The distribution and functions of mental imagery. New York: Teachers College, Columbia Univer.
3.
CamposA. (1995) Twenty-two years of the VVIQ. Journal of Mental Imagery, 19, 129–131.
4.
CamposA.GonzálezM. A. (1992) Repercusión de la autoimagen en el diagnóstico de la capacidad de formar imágenes. Estudios de Psicologia, 47, 27–33.
5.
ErnestC. H. (1977) Imagery ability and cognition: Critical review. Journal of Mental Imagery, 2, 181–216.
6.
GordonR. (1949) An investigation into some of the factors that favour the formation of stereotyped images. British Journal of Psychology, 39, 156–167.
7.
LikertR.QuashaVc H. (1941) Revised Minnesota Paper Form Board. New York: Psychological Corp.
8.
MarksD. F. (1973) Visual imagery differences in the recall of pictures. British Journal of Psychology, 64, 17–24.
9.
MarksD. F. (1995) New directions for mental imagery research. Journal of Mental Imagery, 19, 153–166.
10.
McKelvieS. J. (1995) The VVIQ as a psychometric test of individual differences in visual imagery vividness: A critical quantitative review and plea for direction. Journal of Mental Imagery, 19, 1–106.
11.
PaivioA. (1971) Imagery and verbal processes. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
