A reply to watts and blackstock

Abstract

Appreciation is expressed to Watts and Blackstock for their analysis of bio-informational theory and emotional imagery. Several questions raised in their paper (this issue, pp. 391–405) are considered here: An effort is made to clarify relevant theoretical statements, the Watts and Blackstock interpretations are analysed, and new experimental results, along with the author's more recent musings, are added to the discussion. The issues addressed include: the relationship between bio-informational theory and the controversy over propositional and iconic models of visual imagery; the place of emotional experience in cognitive science; the function of imagery; the measurement of cognitive events and their significance for emotional behaviour change; the relationship between emotional language and emotional behaviour; the aesthetic problems in imagery and exposure; the role of imagery in psychopathology and psychotherapy.