The effects of photic stimulation and private self‐consciousness on the complexity of visual imagination imagery

Abstract

Three levels of photic stimulation (6, 10, 18 Hz) were employed to induce visual imagination imagery in 40 female undergraduates, half of whom had been selected because they had an habitual interest in their own internal states and half because they had no such interest (high and low on a Private Self-conscious (PSC) scale). It was predicted, and found, that more complex images would be reported (1) under the averaged 6 and 10 Hz condition than under the 18 Hz condition, (2) under the 6 than under the 10 Hz condition, and (3) under the high PSC than under the low PSC condition. An interaction effect was also obtained such that the complexity of visual imagination imagery was greatest for the high PSC group, compared with the low PSC group, under the 6 Hz condition and least under the 18 Hz condition. Additional analyses were undertaken on the types of colour, form and movement reported by the high and low PSC groups under combined conditions of photic stimulation. The results of the complexity scores were discussed in terms of West's (1962) 'perceptual release' theory and several suggestions were made for future research.

Another look at ‘being there’ experiences in digital media: Exploring connections of telepresence with mental imagery

“…There are pure imaginationimagery processes at the far right of the continuum (Figure 3). Even though imaginationimagery might appear dynamic and real, the self-creation of content or events unrelated to actual experiences is involved and this is, apparently, novel for users (Richardson and McAndrew, 1990). When it is translated into the context of digital media usage, imaginationimagery is able to let users: picture themselves as better selves, reflecting life aspirations; live out an ideal and non life-related identity; or 'be' in a virtual and fiction-derived territory (Molesworth, 2009).…”

Audio-Visual Entrainment Program as a Treatment for Behavior Disorders in a School Setting

“…AVE affects electroencephalographic (EEG) output (Toman,1940;Walter, 1956;Barlow, 1960;Inouye, Sumitsuji, & Matsumoto, 1979;Kinney, McKay, Mensch, & Luria, 1972;Nogawa, Katayama, Tabata, Ohshio, & Kawahara, 1976;Lesser, Luders, Klem, & Dinner, 1986;Frederick, Lubar, Rasey, Brim, & Blackburn, 1999). It is purported to alter perception and consciousness (Glicksohn,1986;Richardson & McAndrew, 1990;Freedman & Marks, 1965). AVE has been used to improve grade-point average in college students (Budzynski, Jordy, Budzynski, Tang, & Claypoole, 1999).…”

Subjective Experience: Its Conceptual Status, Method of Investigation, and Psychological Significance

“…More recently, research with versions of the private self-consciousness measure first constructed by Fenigstein, Scheier, and Buss (1975) has produced similar evidence (e.g., Nasby, 1989) that those who know themselves best (i.e., are most self-aware) make more accurate estimates of their actual behavior than those who know themselves least. Again, when Richardson and McAndrew (1990) used a shortened version of this scale that emphasized internal state awareness (rather than mere self-reflectiveness), they found that more complex imagination images were reported (under conditions of photic stimulation) by those who were most aware of their internal states.…”