Researchers: Jon May
Mental imagery has long been recognised as playing a central role in creativity, but many questions are unresolved, including the forms of imagery used; the role of individual differences; the strategic selection of different forms of imagery; the effect of expertise upon imagery use; and the benefits of training in imagery use. This proposal addresses these questions through a longitudinal study of students at two leading centres for dance training. Contemporary dance is a performance art that places a high value upon creative innovation, and the use of multimodal imagery changes as expertise develops. Movement creation is an ideal testing ground for the exploration of the multimodal nature of mental imagery, and its relationship with creativity, allowing conclusions to be applied widely, in other creative domains.