Image control from childhood to adolescence

Despite the recognized importance of imagery use by children as well as the developmental relevance for maturity and health of imagery properties such as vividness and control, only a few studies have investigated imagery of children. The aim of the present study was to examine the development of control of mental images in a sample of boys and girls aged 7 to 17 years. Children were assessed on two aspects of mental imagery, vividness and control, and teachers were asked to rate the children's intellectual and socioemotional performance. Analysis showed that the capacity for image control increased in adolescence and that children characterized by vivid and uncontrolled imagery received the lowest ratings from teachers, whereas those with nonvivid and controlled imagery received the highest ratings. The implications of these results were discussed in relation to normal and abnormal development as well as suggestions for research.