Mental imagery in creative problem-solving.

摘要

A number of scientists, as well as artists, musicians and writers have reported experiencing mental imagery in conjunction with significant creative discoveries. Is it possible to learn about the creative from these reported experiences? This study presents a total of 44 separate accounts reporting mental imagery experiences associated with creative discoveries. The data include 29 different scientists and 9 artists, musicians and writers. Thirty-three (33) of the incidents were reported by the subjects themselves, and 11 were written by biographers and historians.; Do these reported experiences have any characteristics in common? Do they suggest a connection between mental imagery and creative problem solving? This study analyzed reports of mental imagery according to these three factors: (1) Possible causes for the reported perception of mental imagery, including behavioral, psychological and environmental factors. What was the person doing and thinking at the time? Could that behavior have facilitated the reported imagery? Were other incidents of mental imagery reported, either in association with the experience in question or not? (2) What perceptual modalities were involved in the reported mental imagery? Were non-visual modalities involved? Are multiple modalities indicated? Is there a connection between the specific type of problem and the mode of perception? (3) At what stage in the problem solving process was imagery reportedly involved? What function did the reported mental imagery perform in facilitating the problem solving process? To what degree, if any did the reported imagery contribute to the completed solution?; The purpose of the analysis is to develop a profile that outlines both the range and frequency of the data within each of three factors. It is possible to determine any common factors in these reports that might provide insight into the creative process? Are there ways to develop this kind of (reported) creative behavior, or to teach it to others?