Question

Part II – Short Answer Questions: For each of the following questions, write your answer in the space provided on this page. Do not be too wordy; just answer the question given.

30. Explain the methods and results of the 3 following experiments used to support the functional equivalency hypothesis of visual images: A) Mental Image Rotation Experiments; B) Image Scanning Experiments; C) Size and Shape Judgments. (4 Points Each Experiment)

Answer 1

Mental image Rotation experiment - Mental rotation was tested by Shepard and Metzler. The participants were given with three-dimensional, assymetrical assemblages of cubes, on the left. On the right, a assemblage of similar pictures wrre given, which were slightly rotated from the original one or was a mirror image. The participants were to press button identifying which were identical except rotated image or mirror image. The experiments found out that, people were quick in identifying identical images which were slightly rotated, ad if they mentally rotated the original images.

Image scanning experiments- This experiment by Kosslyn (1973), had the participants read a picture e.g boat and form a mental image about it. They were then asked to look at a particular part of the object like anchor and then were questioned about the nearby part, example, questions on cabin. It was found that the subjects took longer time to answer on objects which were at distant from the viewed one, than if it were on nearby objects.

Size and shape judgements - Two-alternative, temporal forced-choice was done with feedback. Trial consisted of two 0.17 s observation followed by 0.5 s interval. Standard stimulus was shown in observation and test stimulus in the other. The main parameter of the test stimuli was varied by double staircase psychophysical method. Subjects were asked to make height judgements while correlated width differences. Negatively correlated changes, made the task easier, while positive changes made task harder, than when there was no change in width. It was found that, observers are not making their decisions on height alone.