What is the functional equivalence hypothesis and how does it apply to mental images? Describe how imaging studies support the idea of functional equivalence

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to the functional equivalence hypothesis, although visual imagery is not identical to visual perception, it is functionally equivalent to it. Functionally equivalent things are strongly analogous to each other—they can accomplish the same goals. The functionally equivalent images are thus analogous to the physical percepts they represent. This view essentially suggests that we use images rather than propositions in knowledge representation for concrete objects that can be pictured in the mind.

Evidence for functional equivalence can be found in neuroimaging studies. In one study, for example, participants either viewed or imagined an image. Activation of similar brain areas was noted, in particular, in the frontal and parietal regions. Additionally, imagery can evoke responses in high-level visual brain areas and the visual primary cortex—areas that are highly involved in the processing of visual stimuli we see with our eyes.