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Using Eye Movements and Spoken Discourse as Windows to Inner Space

Johansson, Roger LU orcid ; Holsanova, Jana LU orcid and Holmqvist, Kenneth LU (2013) p.9-28
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to show how eye-tracking methodology can be used to study ‘inner space’; both from a theoretical point of view – the existence (or not) of internal image representations – as well as from an applied point of view – the usage of mental imagery in thinking and reasoning.

First, we introduce the reader to the mental imagery debate. Second, we summarize studies on mental imagery in different areas of research. Third, we focus on our studies, described in Johansson, Holsanova and Holmqvist (2005, 2006), where we developed a method to study ‘inner space’, and showed that eye movements do to a high degree reflect spatiality during visualizations of both pictures and spoken scene descriptions. Fourth, we... (More)
The purpose of this paper is to show how eye-tracking methodology can be used to study ‘inner space’; both from a theoretical point of view – the existence (or not) of internal image representations – as well as from an applied point of view – the usage of mental imagery in thinking and reasoning.

First, we introduce the reader to the mental imagery debate. Second, we summarize studies on mental imagery in different areas of research. Third, we focus on our studies, described in Johansson, Holsanova and Holmqvist (2005, 2006), where we developed a method to study ‘inner space’, and showed that eye movements do to a high degree reflect spatiality during visualizations of both pictures and spoken scene descriptions. Fourth, we discuss theoretical implications, advantages and limitations of this methodology and relate them to current theories of mental imagery, perception and mental simulation. Fifth, we mention relevant application areas and show how our method can be used in thinking and reasoning. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
eye-tracking, mental imagery, verbal reports, spatial cognition, visual attention, mental models, spatial language
host publication
The Construal of Spatial Meaning : Windows into Conceptual Space - Windows into Conceptual Space
editor
Paradis, C. ; Hudson, J. and Magnusson, U.
pages
15 pages
publisher
Oxford University Press
ISBN
9780191760020
9780199641635
DOI
10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199641635.003.0002
project
Thinking in Time: Cognition, Communication and Learning
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
55233bdc-79c0-490d-8153-7f1ddc4f53a1 (old id 1465446)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:18:01
date last changed
2023-12-12 02:49:14
@inbook{55233bdc-79c0-490d-8153-7f1ddc4f53a1,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this paper is to show how eye-tracking methodology can be used to study ‘inner space’; both from a theoretical point of view – the existence (or not) of internal image representations – as well as from an applied point of view – the usage of mental imagery in thinking and reasoning.<br/><br>
First, we introduce the reader to the mental imagery debate. Second, we summarize studies on mental imagery in different areas of research. Third, we focus on our studies, described in Johansson, Holsanova and Holmqvist (2005, 2006), where we developed a method to study ‘inner space’, and showed that eye movements do to a high degree reflect spatiality during visualizations of both pictures and spoken scene descriptions. Fourth, we discuss theoretical implications, advantages and limitations of this methodology and relate them to current theories of mental imagery, perception and mental simulation. Fifth, we mention relevant application areas and show how our method can be used in thinking and reasoning.}},
  author       = {{Johansson, Roger and Holsanova, Jana and Holmqvist, Kenneth}},
  booktitle    = {{The Construal of Spatial Meaning : Windows into Conceptual Space}},
  editor       = {{Paradis, C. and Hudson, J. and Magnusson, U.}},
  isbn         = {{9780191760020}},
  keywords     = {{eye-tracking; mental imagery; verbal reports; spatial cognition; visual attention; mental models; spatial language}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{9--28}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  title        = {{Using Eye Movements and Spoken Discourse as Windows to Inner Space}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199641635.003.0002}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199641635.003.0002}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}