Imageless Thought: Definition and Characteristics
Imageless thought is a process of cognitive activity that occurs in the absence of any visual imagery or mental images. It is a form of thought that is based on abstract concepts and mental reasoning without the use of mental pictures. This type of thinking has been linked to higher-level cognitive skills such as problem-solving, deduction, and reasoning.
The concept of imageless thought has been around for centuries, although it has been studied more in recent years. One of the earliest studies on imageless thought was conducted by John Locke in the 17th century. He proposed that all thinking was based on abstract ideas rather than mental images. This was later supported by the work of Wilhelm Wundt, who argued that thinking was a holistic process involving multiple mental activities.
Imageless thought is often associated with intelligence and creativity. For example, research has found that those with higher levels of intelligence are more likely to engage in this type of thinking. Additionally, those who are creative tend to rely on imageless thought more than those who are not.
Imageless thought is also believed to play a role in the development of higher-level cognitive skills. Studies have found that those who engage in this type of thinking are more likely to develop skills such as problem-solving, deduction, and reasoning. Additionally, those who are able to think abstractly are more likely to be able to understand complex concepts and ideas.
Overall, imageless thought is a type of cognitive activity that occurs without the use of mental images or visual imagery. It is associated with higher levels of intelligence and creativity and is believed to play a role in the development of higher-level cognitive skills such as problem-solving, deduction, and reasoning.
References
Gross, J. J. (2015). The science of psychology: An appreciative view (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Locke, J. (1690). An essay concerning human understanding. Oxford, England.
Wundt, W. (1898). Outlines of psychology. Leipzig, Germany: Engelmann.
Kaufman, S. B., & Kaufman, J. C. (2004). Creativity and reason in cognitive development. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Chamorro-Premuzic, T., Furnham, A., & Ackerman, P. (2007). Psychological attributes of intelligence. In R. J. Sternberg & J. C. Kaufman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of intelligence (pp. 19-38). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.