Sharpening Our Inner Picture: Linking Imagination Traits and Neural Correlates of Mental Imagery

Why are some people able to imagine vivid scenes, while others can barely form a mental picture? While neural correlates underlying mental imagery are widely studied, the role of individual variability within imagination remains unclear. This project explores how self-reported imagery traits, such as vividness of imagery, presence of inner speech, proficiency in motor imagery and spatial navigation, relate to the neural representation of motor and visuo-spatial imagery. Utilizing fMRI data from a previously conducted mental imagery task, I examine how subjective imagination measures relate to patterns of neural activity. This work aims to clarify why mental imagery varies across individuals and how imagination traits are reflected in neural correlates associated with low-vividness imagery.