The Relationships Between Some Aspects of Visual Imagery and the Alpha Rhythm

Abstract

Golla, Hutton and Grey Walter (1943) made an attempt to use the EEG as an objective means of assessing imagery. They concluded that there were three types of alpha rhythm which corresponded to three different kinds of imagery processes: M or minus type whose alpha rhythms were almost non-existent and who used mainly visual imagery in thinking; the P or persistent type whose alpha rhythms continue even during mental activity, and who used mainly vocal kinaesthetic imagery; the R or responsive type with a good resting alpha rhythm which blocked readily during mental activity, and whose imagery was mixed. Though they were attempting to find an objective means ofassessing imagery an ultimate appeal is made to introspection as a validating criterion, and the tasks given to the subjects were such as to present difficult problems in the way of introspection. For instance, they were asked to think over to themselves the story of Red Riding Hood, to think over to themselves their plans for some definite day, to think over the argument for and against some abstract proposition such as “honestyis the best policy” or “the existence of free will”. It is felt that if an attempt is to be made to find an objective means of assessing imagery some at tempt should first of all be made to control the kind of imagery that will be used.