Abstract
This paper presents a historical overview of visualization as a cognitive strategy in human creativity, discovery, and problem-solving. Visualization strategies, such as mental imagery, pervade historical accounts of scientific discovery and invention. A selected number of historical examples are presented and discussed on topics such as physics, aviation, and the science of chaos. Everyday examples are also discussed to show the value of visualization in cognition for all people. Several counter examples are also discussed showing that visualization can also lead to erroneous conclusions. Many educational implications are discussed, such as reconsidering the dominant role and value schools place on verbal, abstract thinking. These issues are also considered in light of emerging computer-based technologies, such as virtual reality.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bransford, J.D., & Stein, B.S. (1993).The ideal problem solver (2nd ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
Brown, J., Collins, A., and Duguid, P. (1989). Situated cognition and the culture of learning.Educational Researcher, 18(1), 32–42.
Burke, J. (1985).The day the universe changed. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company.
Dor-Ner, Z. (1991).Columbus and the age of discovery. New York: William Morrow & Company.
Finke, R.A. (1990).Creative imagery: Discoveries and inventions in visualization. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Finke, R.A., Ward, T.B., & Smith, S.M. (1992).Creative cognition: Theory, research, and applications. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
Fuson, R.H. (1987).The log of Christopher Columbus. Camden, Maine: International Marine Publishing Co.
Gleick, J. (1987).Chaos: Making a new science. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Heim, M. (1993).The metaphysics of virtual reality. New York: Oxford University Press.
Jonassen, D.H., & Reeves, T.C. (in press). Learningwith technology: Using computers as cognitive tools. In D.H. Jonassen (Ed.),Handbook of research on educational communications and technology. New York: Scholastic.
Koestler, A. (1964).The act of creation. New York: Macmillan.
Lajoie, S.P. (1993). Computer environments as cognitive tools for enhancing learning. In S.P. Lajoie & S.J. Derry (Eds.),Computers as cognitive tools (pp.261–288). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Lajoie, S.P., & Derry, S.J. (Eds.). (1993).Computers as cognitive tools. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Lave, J. (1988).Cognition in practice: Mind, mathematics, and culture in everyday life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Moolan, V. (1980).The road to Kitty Hawk. Chicago: Time-Life Books.
Norman, D. (1988).The psychology of everyday things. New York: BasicBooks.
Paivio, A. (1990).Mental representations: A dual coding approach(2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Papert, S. (1993).The children's machine: Rethinking school in the age of the computer. New York: BasicBooks.
Pea, R.D. (1985). Beyond amplification: Using the computer to reorganize mental function.Educational Psychologist, 20, 167–182.
Pimental, K., & Teixeira, K. (1993).Virtual reality: Through the new looking glass. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Ronan, C. (1983).The atlas of scientific discovery. London: Crescent Books.
Salomon, G., Perkins, D.N., & Globerson, T. (1991). Partners in cognition: Extending human intelligence with intelligent technologies.Educational Researcher, 20(3), 2–9.
Sekuler, R., & Blake, R. (1994).Perception (3rd ed.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Shepard, R. (1988). The imagination of the scientist. In K. Egan & D. Nadaner (Eds.),Imagination and education (pp. 153–185). New York: Teachers College Press.
Smith, P.L., & Ragan, T.J. (1993).Instructional design. New York: Merrill.
Tufte, E.R. (1983).The visual display of quantitative information. Cheshire, Connecticut: Graphics Press.
Wainer, H. (1992). Understanding graphs and tables.Educational Researcher, 21(1), 14–23.
Weinstein, C.F., & Mayer, R.F. (1986). The teaching of learning strategies. In M. C. Wittrock (Ed.),Handbook of research on teaching. New York: Macmillan.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rieber, L.P. A historical review of visualization in human cognition. ETR&D 43, 45–56 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02300481
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02300481