Applying a cognitive model of mental imagery to neuropsychological results

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Applying a cognitive model of mental imagery to neuropsychological results Jan Frederik Sima1* 1 University of Bremen, Germany We present a new theory of mental imagery, termed attention-based quantification theory. Qualitative spatial relations and shape information are quantified and made conscious by spatio-analogical attention shifts. There is no quasi-picture or percept. The theory is implemented as a computational cognitive model. The model is able to explain and reproduce two important neuropsychological results, i.e., the functional and neural distinction between spatial and visual mental imagery and the phenomenon of imaginal neglect. The latter, in particular, poses explanatory problems for the traditional theories of mental imagery, i.e., quasi-pictorial and propositional theory. The components of the model are related to neural correlates and these links are supported by the model's behavior after selectively disabling components to simulate specific brain damage. Furthermore, the model makes clear predictions about the differences and similarities of spatial and visual mental imagery tasks. The processing levels inherent to the model’s structure pose a new way of understanding the relationship between spatial and visual imagery. Funding: Project R1-[ImageSpace] of the SFB/TR 8 Spatial Cognition is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Keywords: Attention, Mental Imagery Conference: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster Sessions: Neurophysiology of Cognition and Attention Citation: Sima J (2011). Applying a cognitive model of mental imagery to neuropsychological results. Conference Abstract: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00316 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 22 Nov 2011; Published Online: 28 Nov 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. Jan Frederik Sima, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany, sima@tzi.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Jan Frederik Sima Google Jan Frederik Sima Google Scholar Jan Frederik Sima PubMed Jan Frederik Sima Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.