Those who wish to create, innovate, and clear the fog of confusion know how to exercise their imagination. But to do that, you must first understand the ten different types you can experience.

Written by Murray Johannsen. The author welcomes connections via LinkedIn or directly on this website.

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What is Mental Imagery?

 “A single correct image is worth more than tons of verbiage, which overloads and restricts the mind.” — (Garfield, 1984. page 80)

One way to define mental imagery is according to its characteristics. According to Cratty (1983), one can have different experiences depending on: sensory modes, controllability, and vividness.

Numbers of Sensory Modes

Definition: Whether an image has other sensory modes such as hearing and feelings associated with it. 

It’s not unusual for imagery to bring up emotions such as fear or happiness. For instance, a photograph of crashing waves might transport us to the beach with the sound of surf and the sensation of salt in the air. Similarly, a picture of a cozy fireplace could trigger the feeling of warmth and the crackling sound of burning wood.

Understanding the intertwining of different senses and emotions within imagery opens up a fascinating aspect of how imagination works.

Controllability

Definition: Whether the image can be manipulated by zooming, enlarging, rotating, shrinking, etc. 

In a daydream, the mind has the remarkable ability to control and manipulate every aspect, leading to a surreal and customizable experience. One can envision and shape their surroundings according to their desires, blurring the line between reality and imagination.

When it comes to dreams during sleep, most individuals find themselves in a passive state, with minimal control over the unfolding events. This lack of agency often results in a fleeting and ephemeral experience, where the unconscious mind takes the reins, steering the course of the dream without active influence from the dreamer.

Vividness

Definition: The degree of clarity of the image, whether it is fuzzy or clear and unambiguous. 

Many experts agree that the degree of clarity in mental imagery is a crucial aspect of cognitive processing and visualization. As individuals engage in deliberate practice the mental imagery gradually becomes more vivid and well-defined. Moreover, the process of refining mental imagery through practice underscores the remarkable plasticity of the human brain and its capacity for growth and development.

Harnessing Your Imagination: Ten Types of Mental Imagery

Unlike physical objects, mental images possess unparalleled flexibility and adaptability, allowing for endless transformation and innovation. Prepare to be captivated as we delve into the ten distinct kinds of mental imagery, unraveling their profound impact on cognition and perception. Embrace the fascinating potential of the mind and embark on a captivating exploration of the multifaceted nature of mental imagery.

1. Hypnagogic

These are images experienced just before sleep. They are unusually vivid images. To use these images, first enter a profoundly relaxed state. Then remain vigilant by maintaining a certain level of attention. Unfortunately, most people skip this stage by going straight from the waking state to asleep.

2. Hypnopompic

The specific relevant content for this request, if necessary, delimited with characters: These images are experienced just before waking and tend to be vivid, representing actions one might take during the day. Another use relates to reviewing and rerunning dreams.

One of the intriguing aspects of these pre-waking images is their connection to the process of reviewing and rerunning dreams. This intricate process involves delving into the symbolism and messages embedded within our dreams, unraveling their hidden meanings, and deciphering their significance in our lives. It’s a journey of introspection and self-discovery, as we navigate the enigmatic landscapes of our subconscious minds.

The images that unfold before waking serve as whispers from the depths of our psyche, inviting us to unravel the mysteries they hold and glean insights that may guide us on our waking journey.

3. Dream Imagery

Everyone dreams, but few people remember them. While a few outliers think dreams have no meaning, most experts would say that a dream packs significant importance in the form of images.

The act of dreaming is a universal experience, yet it remains shrouded in mystery. Some cultures have placed great significance on dreams, viewing them as messages from the divine or as a reflection of the subconscious mind.

However, the majority of experts in the field of psychology and neuroscience agree that dreams offer valuable insights into the workings of the human mind. They believe that dreams can provide a window into our deepest desires, fears, and unresolved emotions.

By examining the symbols and themes that appear in dreams, you can uncover hidden meanings and gain a better understanding of your inner thoughts and struggles.

4. Waking Imagery

When we speak of the “mind’s eye,” we refer to the phenomenon of visualizing images in our minds. This ability to conjure mental images without the aid of physical stimuli is a fascinating aspect of human cognition. Waking imagery, is indeed subtle and influences our thoughts and emotions.

This the most common type of image we experience. Still, waking imagery is very subtle. We typically ignore it and are not even aware of it.

5. Symbolic Imagery

Symbols are fascinating images because they have at least two meanings. The first is the obvious one — the literal meaning. For example, money essentially buys things. Economists focus on this. But they typically miss a second, more subtle meaning.

The figurative meaning conveys a hidden understanding that people may not realize exists. For instance, money can symbolize greed, commonly observed in capitalist societies. Additionally, it represents security as it alleviates specific concerns, and it provides status, leading many to admire and respect billionaires solely due to their wealth.

The symbolic meaning is common in dreams. For example, a house with three levels can represent your actual house, the one you live in. It can also symbolize your mind: the ground floor signifies the Ego, while the basement represents the unconscious. What might the third story represent? Could it be a part of the mind like the Superego, or something else?

6. Mystical Imagery

Throughout history, famous religious leaders such as Paul, Mohammed, Buddha, the Sufi prophets, and Christian saints like Mother Teresa have experienced extraordinary images — images with a powerful psychological and emotional impact. It’s not only famous people, but many ordinary individuals have had similar experiences as well. In many cases, these images include symbols with hidden meanings attached to them. For instance, consider the following example. In 1947 Mother Teresa was shown a vision in three parts.

In the first scene, she sees the painful plight of the poor, and she understands that spiritual poverty was hidden beneath the material one.

In the second scene, Mother Teresa saw the same crowd of the poor, but there were more words. So it goes: Our Lady (Mary?) was there in the midst of them, and Mother Teresa was kneeling at her side; she heard her say: “Take care of them…they are mine…bring them to Jesus…carry them to Jesus…fear not…teach them to say the rosary…the family rosary and all will be well…fear not…Jesus and I will be with you and your children.”

In the third scene there was the same crowd again covered covered in darkness. There, amid a gloomy crowd that seemed unaware of His presence, was Jesus on the Cross. Our Lady was before Him…and Jesus said to Mother Teresa: “I have asked you…she, My Mother has asked you. Will you refuse to do this for me…to take care of them, to bring them to Me?” (O’Brien, 2008)

These are not the only types of dreams that have an impact; we see the same with vision.

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7. The Leaders’ Vision

“You face a choice in life. You can do what parents tell you, and the bosses tell you, or you can define a vision for yourself.” — Murray Johannsen.

All people have fantasies, many have dreams, but few have a vision. A vision is not a dream; it is not a fantasy. For mental imagery to be considered a vision, there must be a focus on the future and the motivation to take action.

Having imagination means first seeing something that is yet to exist. But it could exist if the right actions were taken. For example, someone might imagine what would happen before meeting with their boss. This is an essential aspect of being a visionary leader. To be a vision, the imagery must:

a. Focus on the Future

Each of these words carries its own subtle nuance, offering writers and speakers a diverse palette with which to articulate the act of seeing or envisioning something. In literature, poetry, and everyday communication, the abundance of synonyms for “vision” allows for precision and variety in expression, enriching the language and enabling individuals to convey their thoughts with greater depth and clarity. These include:

• Foresight,
• Insight,
• Imagination,
• Prescience,
• Forethought,
• Revelation,
• Prophecy, and
• Expectations.

b. Motivate Action

Internal forces drive leaders. Those with a leadership vision possess tremendous energy — something that keeps moving them forward day after day, month after month, year after year.

c. Be a Path or a Destination

In his book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Viktor Frankl once described such a vision. In Frankl’s case, it came to him when he wallowed in the misery of daily existence in a concentration camp during World War II. While suffering the pain of despair, he saw himself presenting a lecture in a university setting about the psychology of the concentration camp. It was enough to keep him going in the middle of hell. And sure enough, years later, this very thing happened.

8. Archetypal Imagery

Carl Jung, a prominent figure in the field of psychology, emphasized the significance of imagery from the unconscious mind. According to him, these images were not merely random; they encompassed identifiable patterns, which he termed as archetypes.

These archetypes serve as a valuable foundation for exploring the depths of the human psyche and widely appear in storytelling and myths. If you want to delve deeper into this fascinating topic, you can explore this insightful resource: 12 Common Character Archetypes.

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9. Goal Imagery

This type of image is consciously selected. Its used for specific purposes such as visualizing a sold sign on a piece of property you’re trying to sell.

By using goal imagery, individuals can “train” their minds to adopt certain behaviors and strive to achieve specific objectives.

In essence, goal imagery allows individuals to mentally visualize their ambitions and pave the way for effective action and successful outcomes. It’s a method that harnesses the power of the mind to drive motivation, focus, and determination towards the attainment of desired milestones.

For example, to stop smoking, you might conjure up an image of pink, healthy lungs. But you could also use more abstract imagery one showing a red circle with a red bar superimposed over a lit cigarette.

When facing a choice between seeing the positive (healthy lungs) and negating the opposite (red circle through a cigarette), experts think it best to go with the positive.

10. Process Imagery

This type of mental imagery combines a picture of the final goal—perhaps winning a golf tournament—with one of the processes by which that goal is achieved—mentally practicing the shots needed to perfect a golf game.

In this type of imagery, the individual actively visualizes and immerses themselves in the experience of achieving the goal, such as winning the tournament, and actively engages in the mental practice of perfecting their golf game through visualizing and simulating the necessary shots.

Some examples are below.

I never his a shot without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head. It’s like a color movie. First, I “see” the ball where I want it to finish, nice and white and sitting high up on the bright green grass. Then the scene quickly changes, and I “see” the ball going there: its path, trajectory, and shape, even its behavior on landing. Then there is a fade-out, and the next scene shows me making the kind of swing that will turn the previous images into reality. (Jack Nicklauss, 1974)

For years, Fran Tarkenton, an NFL quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, used to practice mentally before each game.This week, he must think “Pittsburgh” and nothing else. He must see that Steeler defense in his dreams, every one of them, knowing their names, numbers, bodies moves. He must be able to know who is chasing him by the sound of the footsteps and which way to turn to evade him, for every man has his weakness. He must see those linebackers eyeing him as they backtrack into pass coverage, know their relative speeds and effectiveness, and know just how many steps each one will take on specific defensive calls so that he can find the right hole at the right time. By Friday, I’m running whole blocks of plays in my head. . . I’m trying to visualize every game situation, every defense they’re going to throw atm. I tell myself, “What will I do on their five-yard line and it’s third and goal to go, and our short passing game hasn’t been going too well, and their line looks like a wall, and we’re six points behind?” (Kloboucher, 1976)

“If I had a play in my mind but muffed it on the court, I’d go over it repeatedly in my head, searching for details I’d missed. I’d goofed because I’d overlooked a critical detail in my mind, so I’d go back to check my model.” (Russel, 1979)

Don’t be concerned if you “see” only a fragment of an image. That fragment can trigger a subconscious association with the big picture, which very subtly brings in and involves more of your senses.

The most common misconception about mental imagery is that you must be able to visualize with great clarity and vividness to be effective. In fact, the vividness of imagery is not nearly as important as controlling it.

Wrap-Up

To learn how to use your mind and to increase your performance, you are going to need to understand and use the different types of imagery. Most of these can be changed. Many are associated with creativity, others still, motivate us.

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Resources

 References

Cratty, Bryant (1983). Psychology in Contemporary Sport: Guidelines For Coaches and Athletes,  2nd Edition. page 160.

Frankl, Victor (2006). Man’s Search For Meaning. Beacon Press.

Garfield, Charles & Bennett, Hal (1984). Peak Performance: Mental Training Techniques of the World’s Greatest Athletes. Los Angeles, CA: Tarcher.

Jung, Carl (1989). Memories, Dreams, and Reflections. Princeton University.

Jung, Carl (1968). Man and His Symbols. Dell Mass Market Paperback.

Kloboucher, Jay (1976). Tarkenton. New York: Harper and Row.

Nicklauss, Jack (1974). Golf My Way. New York: Simon and Schuster.

O’Bien, Linda (2008). Mother Teresa’s vision of the Crucified and His Mother. Catholic Change.

Russell, Bill (1979). Second Wind. New York: Random House.

Russell, Peter (1979). The Brain Book. New York: Dutton.

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