A bioinformational theory of emotional imagery
Theory of emotional imagery that conceives the image in the brain to be a conceptual network, controlling specific somatovisceral patterns.
Article Abstract
“A theory of emotional imagery is described that conceives the image in the brain to be a conceptual network, controlling specific somatovisceral patterns, and constituting a prototype for overt behavioral expression. Evidence for the hypothesis that differentiated efferent activity is associated with type and content of imaginal activity is considered. Recent work in cognitive psychology is described, which treats both the generation of sensory imagery and text comprehension and storage as examples of the processing of propositional information. A similar propositional analysis is applied to emotional imagery as it is employed in the therapeutic context. Experiments prompted by this view show that the conceptual structure of the image and its associated efferent outflow can be modified directly through instructions and through shaping of reports of image experience. The implications of the theory for psychopathology, as well as the theory’s relevance to therapeutic behavior change, are considered.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Lang, P. J. (1979). A bio-informational theory of emotional imagery. Psychophysiology, 16(6), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1979.tb01511.x
Date
November 1, 1979
Creator(s)
Peter J. Lang
Extent
18 pages
Publisher
Wiley
Rights
Copyright 1979 by The Society for Psychophysiology Research, Inc.
APA Citation
Lang, P. J. (1979). A bio-informational theory of emotional imagery. Psychophysiology, 16(6), 495–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1979.tb01511.x
Audience
Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access