California State University, Northridge Visualization
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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE VISUALIZATION, IMAGERY, AND PERSONALITY A thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Educational Psychology/Counseling and Guidance by Morley J. Cohen May 1984 -- ---------- ----~--- ----- ----·-· ----------· -------- -----· ------- --- ---------- --· . -· -·--··----~---- ·- -···- --------------- -· ---- ·----·· -·--·- - ----- -·--- -· -- The Thesis Cohen is approved. California State University, Northridge ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I encountered a seemingly endless line of obstacles throughout the development and completion of this thesis. One way or another, I was able to overcome each one. But for every obstacle, there were probably seven lessonsl Perseverance, the necessity to adapt to (and be flexible with) apparent adversity, and the main tenance of an intelligent and patient disposition were a few lessons with which I grappled. Whether or not I fully comprehend any of the lessons, I must acknowledge the truth in a great philosopher's view: "Through obstacles we grow." I was not alone on this odyssey. There were many people on whom I relied for their indispensable criticism, support, and sacrificial efforts in helping me to com plete this thesis. I am deeply grateful to all of the following individuals. I would like to thank Dr. Margaret Thompson for her time, patience, and invaluable suggestions as ''Chair" of my committee. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Don Dorsey and Dr. Bernard Nisenholz for their time and energy as the other two members of my committee. I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to Rodger C. White (Headmaster) and Sheri White iii (Principal) of Pinecrest School, Thousand Oaks, who allowed me to conduct the testing for the research at their school, where I teach. The opportunities they have given me will not be forgotten. I would like to give one Big Special Thanks to Diana Granger. The incredible amount of work she put into organizing and working out the statistical portion of this thesis (the most important part) via the computer is only surpassed by the special qualities of her heart. A very special thanks to Torkom Saraydarian, who introduced me to the field of visualization through his writings and lectures. Last, but certainly not least, I wish to acknowledge gratefully the undying support of my family, friends, and relatives. Especially, I would like to thank: My Father, Morris Cohen, for his encouragement, support, and interest in the development of the thesis. My Mother, Muriel Rosen, for her unselfish and patient work (while typing the "rough draft"). Also, her encouragement, support, and willingness to help has been highly appreciated. Other names include: Michael Cohen, Pam Coffan, Sue Kleinfelter, Dr. Charles Hanson, Jerry Rosen, Aunt Tilly, iv Nana Cohen, Aunt Ruthy, Nana Zimmer, Sabrina Cohen, Dylan Cohen, David Pomatti, Pauline Wicks, Roy Lewis and the other staff-members and students at Pinecrest, and, . Loger and Christy. Most importantly, I acknowledge and give thanks to that creative potential which lies within each one of us. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENT • . iii LIST OF TABLES . viii ABSTRACT . ix INTRODUCTION 1 History, Evolution, and Applications of Visualization . 1 Definition of Terms ...... 9 Purpose . • . • . 14 Hypotheses . • . 16 Scopes and Limitations . 17 LITERATURE REVIEW 19 Visualization, Imagery, and Recall . 20 Visualization, Imagery, and Creativity . • . 24 Life Impact of Visualizing Efficiency 32 METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH DESIGN 35 Procedures . 35 Instruments . • . 41 Scoring . 47 Subjects . • . 49 Statistical Treatment . 50 RESULTS 53 Overview . 73 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 77 Summary of the Findings . 81 Conclusions . 84 Recommendations . 85 REFERENCES . 88 vi Page APPENDICES . 94 A. MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR . 94 B. HIGH SCHOOL PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRE . 96 C. NOTE OF PARENTAL CONSENT . 98 D. LETTER OF APPRECIATION . 99 vii LIST OF TABLES Table Page I. Mean Average of Visualization Scores 55 II. Pearson 1 s Product-Moment Coefficient of Correlations Between "Static" and "Flexible" Measures of Visualization Efficiency 56 III. Relationship Between Measures of Visualization Efficiency and Creativity- associated Personality Characteiistics 59 IV. Relationship Between Measures of Visualization Efficiency and "High School Personality Questionnaire" Factors of Emotional Variability . 67 v. Relationship Between Measures of Visualization Efficiency and the "High School Personality Questionnaire" Factor of General Mental Ability and Intellectual Functioning . 71 VI. Relationship Between Measures of Visualization Efficiency and "High School Personality Questionnaire" Factors of Personality . 74 VII. Relationship Between Measures of Visualization Efficiency and "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator" Personality Preferences . 75 viii ABSTRACT VISUALIZATION, I}~GERY, AND PERSONALITY by Morley J. Cohen Master of Arts in Educational Psychology/ Counseling and Guidance This study discusses the use of visualization and mental imagery in psychotherapy and the implications of the theoretical basis for its use. Visualization effi ciency, the ability to perceive and control mental imagery, and particular characteristics of psyche and personality are defined. The purpose of this research is to study the relationships between visualization efficiency and person ality characteristics so that more definitive guidelines for the effective application of these relationships can be utilized in psychotherapy and education. In order to understand the relationships between visualization efficiency and personality characteristics, a study using correlational and descriptive methods was employed. Forty-seven subjects were given a battery of ix visualization and personality tests. The visualization efficiency tests were Peter W. Sheehan's shortened form of "Betts' Questionnaire upon Mental Imagery" and Alan Richardson's revised form of "Gordon's Test for Visual Imagery Control." The personality tests were the "Myers Briggs Type Indicator" and the "High School Personality Questionnaire." The results of the study generally indicates positive relationships between: 1. Visualization efficiency and emotional stability. 2. Visualization efficiency and intellectual functioning. 3. Visualization efficiency and creativity. While there were limits to the study, many tendencies and conclusions were extracted from the statis- tical relationships. Specifically, some of the clearest tendencies occurred between the two measures of visualiza tion efficiency and the seven measures of emotionality. The measures of intellectual functioning and creativity were not precise and, as a result, indicated very broad and generalized tendencies. Some important areas which this study does not consider include visualization training, the dynamic prop erties of images and symbols, and when to use visualiza tion as a tool for behavior modification and/or learning. X INTRODUCTION History, Evolution, and Applications of Visualization Visualization, the methodical and disciplined use of mental imagery, is not a new concept created by present- day Western theorists and psychologists. In fact, the root-usage of visualization can be historically traced to Simonides of Ceos, an early Greek lyric poet around 500 B.C. Simonides developed a system of systematic visualiza- tion called "the method of loci," which could increase one's memory capacity. The system involves visualizing a sequential order of personally recognizable places or scenes through which you can see yourself walking. As you are mentally walking by those familiar places, or scenes (i.e., rooms of a house, buildings or streets of a city, or anything that is firmly established in memory) , you visualize and leave an image of that which is to be remem- bered at each location. This can be done sequentially from a list and visualized at each successive place. Later, when recalling the items on the list, you mentally walk by these locations (loci) , then mentally perceive the image present at each one (Schmid, 1964; McKellar, 1972; Yates, 1966; Paivio, 1971). The process of visualization also has its roots deeply embedded in Eastern philosophy. Many forms of 1 2 meditation and spiritual awakening are purportedly hastened through visualization. For example, in Tibetan Yoga and Secret Doctrines, originally compiled around the year 1050 A.D., edited by W. Y. Evans-Wentz (1970), refers to the use of visualization with specific exercises utiliz ing mental imagery composed of symbols, color, sound, and varieties of form. These exercises have various methods with differing, yet specific, purposes. These differing methods are characterized by the specific image(s), to be visualized. The assuming foundation apparently is connec ted to the idea that the constitution of the subjective world of the human being is composed of corresponding archetypal symbolism, each with its corresponding value. Thus, the result of the visualization will bring about a release of energy, a transference of consciousness, and an overall spiritual awakening of the practicing individual. The concept that images are the language, or system of communication, of the human psyche evolved and was later adapted by the Western civilization. Two semi contemporary psychoanalysts, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, introduced notions of the unconscious, a relatively unmapped area of the human being in which images, associa tions of images, and other unseen forces exert a powerful control