The subject of mental images and propositions has attracted the attention of experts, researchers, and educators. Chapter seven of the text highlights some of the critical issues related to the subject of mental representation. The authors give a detailed account of the concepts and how they relate to the way people perceive various things and images. The subject of mental representation is considered to be one of the cognitive science constructs that influence how people think and believe (Farkas, 2008). In addition, it is considered to be a subject that is characterized by the transformation, perception, and storage of images. The images contain information bearing elements that influence the way they are perceived. In most instances, it is assumed that the representation of any kind of object entails creating mental images that contain sematic properties. The process entails identifying the unique properties of the element and using them as the basis for forming a mental object. Therefore, mental representation is a complex cognitive process that need to be understood and analyzed carefully. Throughout the process, it is imperative to recognize the influence of cognitive science to the representation of objects and the degree to which the mind engages various aspects of the object.
In the recent years, there has been an ongoing debate on whether the subject of mental representation and image manipulation is well understood (Farkas, 2008). Furthermore, questions have been asked about the ability of a person to transform or reinterpret a mental image. In most cases, experts agree that the manner in which people represent various images is dependent on a wide range of factors such as the visual patterns, age, and the nature of the item that is being observed. A review of the text further revealed that the process of representing and manipulating mental images is characterized by two main processes. The first one is combination where the focus is on bringing together the elements and structures that define a given object. The second one is subtraction where the focus is on eliminating the information and details that are not critical to the understanding of an object. The process occurs in both adults and children. Furthermore, they help a person to perceive an image, transform it mentally, and interpret the underlying meaning. The success of these processes will depend on a wide range of factors such as the mental abilities of the individual in question.
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The other critical and interesting issue that is addressed in the text is the way the author explores the methods that people use when representing and transforming mental images. Overall, there appear to be two major ways through which the mental representation occurs. The first method involves the thoughts that a person composes based on the information that they have about an item. The thoughts have no phenomenal features that can be described. The second mental is the sensation approach. In this case, there are phenomenal and phenomenal elements that will determine how people perceive and construct mental images. Both the conceptual and non-conceptual methods will aid the image representation and transformation process. In addition, the two elements determine the kind of experiences that people will have with regards to a mental image. The understanding of the mental representation and transformational processes are critical when it comes to analyzing how people behave and act. There is a need to carry out further investigations into the way adults and children construct mental images. The objective is to highlight the existing areas of similarity and differences. The outcome of such investigations can add to the existing body of cognitive science literature and help in the study of thinking processes.
Reference
Farkas, K. (2008). The subject’s point of view . Oxford: Oxford University Press.
