Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Mental Rotation: Investigating Visual Mental Imagery
Published on: April 30, 2023
Involuntary mental rotation and visuospatial imagery from external control
Donish Cushing1, Adam Gazzaley2, Ezequiel Morsella3
1Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, United States.
Involuntary imagery, like subvocalizations, can occur during mental rotation and visuospatial tasks. This suggests that complex cognitive processes, including symbol manipulation, can be influenced involuntarily.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Imagery Research
Background:
- The Reflexive Imagery Task (RIT) assesses involuntary subvocalizations, demonstrating non-conscious processing.
- Previous research explored involuntary cognitions but not their relation to complex visuospatial tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if mental rotation and visuospatial imagery can occur involuntarily.
- To determine if complex cognitive manipulations can be influenced by external control.
Main Methods:
- Subjects underwent training in mental rotation and visuospatial tasks (e.g., chess piece movement).
- Participants were instructed to suppress these specific cognitive processes.
- Involuntary imagery occurrence was recorded during task suppression.
Main Results:
- Involuntary imagery was observed in a significant number of trials for both mental rotation and visuospatial tasks.
- These findings indicate that complex cognitive functions are not exclusively voluntary.
Conclusions:
- Mental rotation and visuospatial imagery can arise involuntarily.
- Symbol manipulation in cognitive tasks can be subject to involuntary influence.
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