Abstract
When subjects perform a perceptual task while maintaining an image, there is more interference when the task and image are in the same modality than when they are in different ones (e.g., Segal & Fusella, 1970). This has been interpreted as demonstrating that the image is a perceptual representation. An alternative interpretation is that both image and task are represented propositionally with the relations expressed in the propositions being more similar when the image and task involve the same modality. To evaluate the new interpretation, subjects formed images that varied in modality—visual vs. auditory—and in the relation describing the imaged information—spatial vs. temporal. While maintaining an image, subjects performed either a spatial or a temporal visual task. Performance was poorer when the task and image were in the same modality, but was relatively unaffected by whether the task and image relations were the same or not.
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We thank William Jordan for his assistance in testing the subjects, and Steven Kosslyn for his advice on several aspects of the study.
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Schorr, D., Balzano, G. & Smith, E.E. Selective interference between imagery and perception: Is it modality specific or relation specific?. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 12, 419–422 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329725
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329725