Cross-Modal Measurement of Auditory Mental Imagery Ability using the FAM (Foley Artist Method) approach

Conor O'Malley, School of Psychology, University College Dublin

Abstract
Historically, research on mental imagery, or the capacity to simulate in the mind information that is not currently being perceived by the sense organs, has been confined mainly to the visual modality. Accordingly, little progress has been made in theoretical
understanding of imagery processes in other modalities such as audition. This neglect is attributable, in part, to methodological factors. For example, the mental rotation tasks commonly used to assess visual imagery abilities do not have any plausible auditory equivalents. In an effort to address this oversight, the present study reports an attempt to measure auditory mental imagery skills using a cross-modal technique derived from the work of “Foley artists” or technical experts who use their imagination to simulate the sounds of prop and clothes movements for film soundtracks. Using two conditions, the imagery task required participants (n=60) to match either silent video clips or verbal descriptions with designated sounds. Results suggest that those in the video condition (n=30) were more adept at creating and manipulating vivid images than were their counterparts (n=30) in the verbal description condition. One explanation for this finding is that many participants reported having to visualise the sound before attempting to match it with target sounds.

Not available

Back to Abstract