Abstract
Groups of vivid and poor visualizers were given a picture memory task. and horizontal and vertical components of the electro-oculogram were recorded. This allowed a detailed investigation of each S’s eye movements in the perception. imagery, and recall phases of the task. The vivid visualizers gave a higher accuracy of recall Eye movement rate was lower in visual imagery than it was in perception, especially in the goup of vivid visualizers. There was some evidence of scanning activity prior to recall, but only if positional cues were provided or if recall was incorrect. No scanning occurred prior to accurate recall unprompted by a positional cue. These results provide no support to the theories of image construction proposed by Hebb (1949, 1968) and Neisser (1967). As suggested by Singer (1966), an absence of eye movement may be a necessary condition for vivid visual imagery.
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The author would Like to thank Ulric Neisser for his helpful comments on an earlier version of this article, although full responsibility for the conclusions lies with the author. The author also thanks Peter McKellar for providing research facilities and Beverley Barron, Terry Henry, and Pamela Ruddenklau for their assistance in the collection and analysis of data.
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Marks, D.F. Visual imagery differences and eye movements in the recall of pictures. Perception & Psychophysics 14, 407–412 (1973). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211175
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211175