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Related Experiment Videos

Mental image reversal and verbal recoding: when ducks become rabbits

M A Brandimonte1, W Gerbino

  • 1University of Trieste, Italy.

Memory & Cognition
|January 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Verbal recoding hinders mental imagery. Preventing verbal recording of visual stimuli improved mental reversal of classical bistable configurations (CBCs), suggesting memory code interactions influence image reversal.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive psychology
  • Visual perception
  • Mental imagery

Background:

  • Classical bistable configurations (e.g., duck/rabbit) are often used to study mental imagery.
  • Previous research suggested image reversal requires changing orientation specification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of verbal recoding on mental reversal of classical bistable configurations (CBCs).
  • To explore the role of memory codes in image reversal processes.

Main Methods:

  • Four experiments were conducted involving participants viewing and mentally reversing CBCs.
  • Participants were sometimes prevented from verbally recoding the visual stimuli in short-term memory.

Main Results:

  • Mental reversal of CBCs was impeded when participants verbally recoded the visual pattern.
  • Preventing verbal recording significantly improved participants' ability to mentally reverse CBCs.
  • This improvement occurred even without explicit instructions to change reference frame or orientation.

Conclusions:

  • Verbal recoding acts as an impediment to the mental reversal of visual stimuli.
  • A model of image reversal should consider the interaction between different memory codes.
  • Findings offer new insights into verbal overshadowing and the mechanisms of mental discovery.

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