Abstract: What is visual mental imagery used for? In this talk, we will explore the various roles that visual mental imagery plays in our daily life, from stereotype formation and perpetuation to learning in educational settings. Understanding how the mind constructs and utilizes images is essential for grasping the broader mechanisms of cognition. After briefly touching upon historical debates on the neural substrates supporting VMI, we will then look into voluntary and involuntary forms of mental imagery and their role in clinical conditions. By investigating the role and significance of visual mental imagery—and the lack thereof in individuals reporting low imagery abilities (i.e., aphantasia)—this presentation aims to enhance our understanding of cognitive processes that can inform clinical practices and interventions for diverse populations.
Bio: Dr. Alfredo Spagna investigates the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying human attention and imagination, with a focus on the interplay between frontoparietal networks and high-level visual regions. His research utilizes a variety of methodologies, including behavioral experiments, 3T and 7T fMRI, MEG, sEEG, and mobile EEG. Click on this link for a full list of recent publications. Current Projects include: (1) Testing a heterarchical model of visual mental imagery to understand shared and distinct neural processes between perception and imagination. (2) Examining the role of frontoparietal attentional networks in processing social and non-social stimuli during perception and imagery. (3) Exploring real-world attention using mobile EEG and physiological recordings, with applications for naturalistic environments.