Mental Imagery & Mental Representation: How to approach these terms in different fields

In my latest article, I delved into the potential connection between photography and mental representation. However, it's important to note that mental representation and mental imagery are often used interchangeably, despite being two DISTINCT concepts. To provide further clarification, this piece will explore the nuances of these terms within the domains of linguistics, semiotics, cognitive science and philosophy of mind.

Aristotle “The soul never thinks without an image.”

Mental Imagery vs. Mental Representation: What's the Difference?

The human mind is capable of creating and manipulating mental images and representations of the world around us. But what is the difference between mental imagery and mental representation? While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are important distinctions between the two concepts that have been studied in cognitive psychology and neuroscience.

Mental Imagery

Mental imagery refers to the ability to create and experience sensory-like experiences in the mind without any external stimulus. For example, when you close your eyes and imagine a beach, you may be able to visualize the blue sky, the sound of the waves, and the feeling of the sand between your toes. Mental imagery can involve all of the senses, including sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.

Research has shown that mental imagery involves similar neural processes to those involved in perception.

For example, studies using brain imaging techniques such as fMRI have found that visual areas of the brain are activated during mental imagery tasks, suggesting that the brain is creating visual representations of the imagined objects or scenes (Kosslyn, 1994).

Mental Representation

Mental representation, on the other hand, refers to the cognitive processes by which we form, store, and manipulate mental models of the world around us. Mental representations can take many forms, including concepts, schemas, and mental maps. These representations allow us to make sense of and interact with the world, and are often based on sensory experiences.

One prominent theory of mental representation is the theory of perceptual symbol systems (Barsalou, 1999). According to this theory, mental representations are based on perceptual experiences, and are not abstract symbols, but are instead grounded in sensory and motor experiences. This means that our mental representations of objects and concepts are not just based on linguistic or abstract symbolic representations, but are based on our experiences with those objects in the world.

Difference between Mental Imagery and Mental Representation

The main difference between mental imagery and mental representation is that mental imagery involves the creation and experience of sensory-like experiences in the mind, while mental representation refers to the cognitive processes by which we form, store, and manipulate mental models of the world.

While mental imagery is often considered a type of mental representation, there are important distinctions between the two. Mental imagery is more closely tied to sensory experiences and involves the activation of sensory areas in the brain. Mental representation, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses a wider range of cognitive processes that allow us to understand and interact with the world.

Mental Imagery & Mental Representation Explained in 4 Different Fields

#1 Linguistics

In linguistics, mental imagery refers to the mental representation of sensory experiences, such as images, sounds, tastes, and smells, that are evoked in the mind without external stimuli. Linguistic research on mental imagery has focused on the role of imagery in language comprehension and production, as well as its connection to memory and cognitive processing. For example, studies have shown that the use of sensory language in narratives can enhance mental imagery and improve memory recall (e.g., Hsu & Krauss, 2010).

#2 Semiotics

In semiotics, mental representation refers to the cognitive processes involved in creating and interpreting signs and symbols. Semiotics views mental representation as a crucial aspect of communication, since it involves the encoding and decoding of information into meaningful symbols and signs. Mental representation is also seen as an active process, in which meaning is constructed through interaction with the world and other people. For example, semiotic analysis of advertisements has shown how mental representations of gender, race, and class are constructed and reinforced through visual and textual elements (e.g., Kress & van Leeuwen, 2006).

Ferdinand de Saussure’s Sign Theory (1983)

#3 Cognitive Science

In cognitive science, mental imagery and mental representation are seen as key components of cognition and perception. Mental imagery is viewed as a way of representing and manipulating perceptual information in the absence of direct sensory input. Mental representation, on the other hand, is seen as the underlying cognitive structures that enable the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information in the mind. Cognitive scientists have studied the neural basis of mental imagery and representation, as well as their role in problem-solving, decision-making, and creativity (e.g., Kosslyn et al., 2006).

#4 Philosophy of Mind

In philosophy of mind, mental imagery and mental representation are studied in relation to consciousness and perception. The concept of mental representation is central to representationalism, which posits that mental states are defined by their representational content (Dretske, 1981). Mental imagery is also relevant to philosophy of mind, as it has been used to argue for the existence of a distinct type of conscious experience, known as "phenomenal consciousness" (Block, 1995).

Overall…

Mental imagery and mental representation are two important concepts that refer to the ability to create and manipulate mental models of the world. While mental imagery involves the creation of sensory-like experiences in the mind, mental representation refers to the broader cognitive processes by which we form, store, and manipulate mental models of the world. By understanding the differences between these two concepts, we can better understand how the human mind represents and interacts with the world around us.

References:

Barsalou, L. W. (1999). Perceptual symbol systems. Behavioral and brain sciences, 22(4), 577-660.
Block, N. (1995). On a confusion about a function of consciousness. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 18(2), 227-247.
Dretske, F. (1981). Knowledge and the flow of information. MIT Press.
Hsu, C. L., & Krauss, R. M. (2010). “Say it loud”: The effect of production modality on memory for pitch and loudness. Memory & Cognition, 38(3), 365-376.
Kosslyn, S. M., Thompson, W. L., & Ganis, G. (2006). The case for mental imagery. Oxford University Press.
Kress, G., & van Leeuwen, T. (2006). Reading images: The grammar of visual design. Routledge.

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