Imagination

Summary

General characteristics of imagination and its role in mental activities. Imagination as a process of transformation of ideas. Mechanisms of the imagination process. The role of imagination in human life. Physiological foundations of imagination. The connection between imagination and the regulation of organic processes and movements.

Types of imagination. Classification of imagination according to the degree of intentionality: voluntary and involuntary imagination. Recreating imagination. Creative imagination. Dream. Spatial imagination. Active and passive imagination.

Mechanisms for processing ideas into imaginary images. The main stages of the formation of imaginary images. Analysis, abstraction, synthesis. Agglutination as a mechanism for the formation of imaginary images. Schematization and emphasis.

Individual characteristics of imagination and its development. Differences between people in the degree of development of imagination and in the type of ideas with which they operate most often. Characteristics of the degree of development of imagination. Basic types of imagination. Stages of imagination development. Individual nature of imagination development.

Imagination and creativity. General overview about creativity. The importance of imagination for creativity. Concept by T. Ribot. Stages of creativity according to G. Wallace. Levels of creative tasks according to G. S. Altshuller.

11.1. General characteristics of imagination and its role in mental activity

Man constantly comes into contact with his environment. Every second our senses are affected by dozens and hundreds of different stimuli, many of which remain in human memory for a long time. Moreover, one of the most curious phenomena of the human psyche is that the impressions received in previous practice from objects and phenomena of the real world are not only stored in memory long time, but are also subject to certain processing. The existence of this phenomenon determined the ability of a person to influence environment and purposefully change it.

It should be noted that the animal’s impact on the external environment and changes external environment humans have fundamental differences. Unlike an animal, a person influences the environment systematically, directing his efforts towards a predetermined goal. This nature of the change in reality in the process of labor presupposes a preliminary representation in the mind of what a person wants to receive as a result of his activity. For example, a spider performs certain operations that resemble those of a weaver, and bees, in the construction of their wax cells, resemble human builders. However, any bad specialist differs from the best bee or the most skillful spider in that it acts according to a predetermined plan. Any work involves the development of such a plan, and only then its implementation in practice.

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Thus, considering the process of a person creating something new, we are faced with another phenomenon of the human psyche. His the essence is that a person creates an image in his mind that does not yet exist in reality, and the basis of creation similar image is our past experience that we gained by interacting with objective reality. It is this process - the process of creating new mental images - that is called imagination.

So, Imagination is the process of transforming ideas that reflect reality, and creating new ideas on this basis. It is generally accepted that imagination arose in the process of labor - a specifically human activity, due to the existence of a need to transform objects of the real world. For example, having before his eyes a tool of labor that was not entirely perfect in its characteristics and properties, a person could imagine another tool that corresponds to his idea of ​​what is necessary to perform a particular labor operation. But then, during historical development man, the activity of the imagination began to manifest itself not only in work, but also in the fantasies and dreams of a person, that is, in images that could not be created in practice at all in at the moment. Extremely complex forms of imagination have appeared, necessary in scientific, technical and artistic creativity. However, even in these cases, imagination appears as the result of the transformation of our ideas obtained from reality.

The process of imagination always occurs in inextricable connection with two other mental processes - memory and thinking. Speaking about imagination, we only emphasize the predominant direction of mental activity. If a person is faced with the task of reproducing representations of things and events that were previously in his experience, we are talking about memory processes. But if the same ideas are reproduced in order to create a new combination of these ideas or create new ideas from them, we talk about the activity of the imagination.

It should be noted that imaginary images are created only by processing individual aspects of a person’s existing images of reality. For example, while reading science fiction novels, you probably noticed that fictional characters (aliens, monsters, non-existent animals, etc.) are still completely or partially similar in appearance to objects known to us, i.e. they were transformed by the writer’s imagination from real reality.

Speaking about imagination, one cannot underestimate its role in human mental activity, because a certain processing of images of reality occurs even in the simplest version of reproduction. Thus, imagining any object or event, we are very often unable to reproduce the corresponding facts in all detail and with all the details. However, things and events are reproduced not in the form of incoherent fragments or scattered frames, but in their integrity and continuity. Consequently, a kind of processing of the material occurs, expressed in the replenishment of ideas with the necessary details, i.e. in the process of reproduction, the activity of our imagination begins to manifest itself.

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To a much greater extent, the activity of imagination is present in the formation of images of objects or phenomena that we have never perceived. This is how ideas about natural areas, where we have never been, or ideas about the image of a literary hero.

The activity of the imagination is most closely connected with a person’s emotional experiences. Imagining what you want can evoke positive feelings in a person, and in certain situations, a dream about a happy future can bring a person out of extremely negative states, allowing him to escape from the situation of the present moment, analyze what is happening and rethink the significance of the situation for the future. Consequently, imagination plays a very significant role in regulating our behavior.

Imagination is also connected with the implementation of our volitional actions. Thus, imagination is present in any type of our work activity, since before creating anything, it is necessary to have an idea of ​​​​what we are creating. Moreover, the further we move away from mechanical labor and approach creative activity, the more the importance of our imagination increases.

It is generally accepted that the physiological basis of imagination is the actualization of neural connections, their disintegration, regrouping and unification into new systems. In this way, images arise that do not coincide with previous experience, but are not divorced from it. The complexity, unpredictability of the imagination, its connection with emotions give reason to assume that it physiological mechanisms are associated not only with the cortex, but also with deeper structures of the brain. In particular, the hypothalamic-limbic system plays a major role here.

It should be noted that imagination, due to the characteristics of the physiological systems responsible for it, is to a certain extent associated with the regulation of organic processes and movement. Imagination influences many organic processes: the functioning of glands, activity internal organs, metabolism in the body, etc. For example, it is well known that the idea of ​​a delicious lunch evokes in us profuse salivation, and by instilling in a person the idea of ​​a burn, you can cause real signs of a “burn” on the skin. This pattern has been known for a long time and is widely used in the treatment of so-called psychosomatic patients during suggestive therapy sessions. On the other hand, imagination also influences human motor functions. For example, if we imagine that we are running on a stadium track during a competition, the devices will register subtle contractions of the corresponding muscle groups.

Another example of the influence of imagination on organic processes can be a change in gas exchange at the time when we imagine performing some physical work. For example, we imagine ourselves lifting a heavy barbell in a competition. In this case, the devices will record an increase in the intensity of gas exchange. The same phenomenon will be detected in those cases when we see the face of a person lifting a barbell.

Thus, we can conclude that imagination plays a significant role both in the regulation of the processes of the human body and in the regulation of its motivated behavior.

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11.2. Types of imagination

Imagination processes, like memory processes, can vary in degree arbitrariness, or intentionality. An extreme case of involuntary imagination is dreams, in which images are born unintentionally and in the most unexpected and bizarre combinations. The activity of the imagination, which unfolds in a half-asleep, drowsy state, for example, before falling asleep, is also involuntary at its core.

Free imagination is of much greater importance to a person. This type of imagination manifests itself when a person is faced with the task of creating certain images, outlined by himself or given to him from the outside. In these cases, the process of imagination is controlled and directed by the person himself. The basis of this work of imagination is the ability to arbitrarily evoke and change the necessary ideas.

Among various types and forms of arbitrary imagination can be distinguished recreating imagination creative imagination And dream.

Recreating imagination manifests itself when a person needs to recreate a representation of an object that matches its description as fully as possible. We encounter this type of imagination when we read descriptions of geographical places or historical events, and also when we meet literary heroes. It should be noted that the reconstructive imagination forms not only visual representations, but also tactile, auditory, etc. Thus, reading the description of the Battle of Poltava in A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Poltava,” we clearly imagine the roar of gun shots, the screams of soldiers, the beat of drums, the smell of gunpowder.

Most often we are faced with recreating imagination when it is necessary to recreate some idea from a verbal description. However, there are times when we recreate an idea of ​​​​an object not using words, but on the basis of diagrams and drawings. In this case, the success of recreating the image is largely determined by the person’s abilities to spatial imagination, i.e., the ability to recreate an image in three-dimensional space. Consequently, the process of reconstructive imagination is closely related to human thinking and memory.

The next type of voluntary imagination is creative imagination. It characterized by the fact that a person transforms ideas and creates new ones not according to an existing model, but independently outlining the contours of the created image and choosing for it necessary materials. Creative imagination, like recreating, is closely related to memory, since in all cases of its manifestation a person uses his previous experience. Therefore, there is no hard boundary between the reconstructive and creative imagination. When recreating the imagination, the viewer, reader, or listener must, to a greater or lesser extent, complete the given image with the activity of his creative imagination.

A special form of imagination is a dream. The essence of this type of imagination is the independent creation of new images. At the same time, a dream has a number of significant differences from creative imagination. Firstly, in the dream

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This is interesting What is a creative person? Have you ever wondered why you are alone people are capable of creativity (usually they are called creative personalities - TL), but others are not? Most often, they try to explain this phenomenon by different levels of imagination development. Imagination is always present in creativity. Without a developed imagination, there can be no productive creative activity. Is it possible to control the development of imagination and form creative abilities in a person? The authors of the book “How to Become a Genius” G. Altshuller and I. Vertkim on this the question is answered positively. “About 1000 biographies were studied, common points were highlighted, and the following picture emerged: the entire life of a TP can be represented as a chain of moves, steps. Let's use the analogy with a chess game and play a conditional integral chess game Creative personality - External circumstances. A creative person strives for a creative goal, but external circumstances definitely interfere with it. That is, of course, it happens that at some point in time the TP receives help and support from the external environment, but this is a favorable case, there are no problems here. And here are the problems: TL made one move - in response she received checkmate, three moves, four moves - that’s the kind of game... So one of the first moves is called “meeting a miracle”. It is very important for TL to set out on their own path as early as possible; it is easier to do this at 5-7-10-12 years old than at 55 and older. Although the chances remain as long as the person is alive. Meeting a miracle - what is it? Sometimes a person comes across some thing, a very diverse thing, which is imprinted on his heart and leaves an imprint on all subsequent activities. For the formation of a person, for the transformation of an ordinary person into a personality with a capital P. Here's a simple example. Schliemann saw the book "The Fall of Troy". On the cover there was a drawing - a fortress, fire, a warrior with swords... It was all so well drawn that the child went to his father and began to explain to him what interesting things he had read. He was 5-7 years old. My father said that this was a fairy tale, a legend, an invention of an artist. Schliemann Jr. did not argue with dad, but in his soul he harbored the confidence that this could not be - how did the artist know? In short, by the evening of this day, Schliemann decided to devote his life to the excavations of Troy, to open a layer of new culture for humanity. And he accomplished this, he followed a long path, but Schliemann became Schliemann, became a Personality when he was 5-7 years old. A problem arises: is it possible to set up an artificial experiment? You can't wait and count on the fact that the child

the catcher always creates an image what you want whereas creative images do not always embody the desires of their creator. In dreams, what attracts a person and what he strives for finds its figurative expression. Secondly, a dream is a process of imagination not included in creative activity, i.e., not immediately and directly providing an objective product in the form work of art, scientific discovery, technical invention, etc.

Main feature a dream is that it is aimed at future activity, i.e. a dream is an imagination aimed at a desired future. Moreover, several subtypes of this type of imagination should be distinguished. Most often, a person makes plans for the future and in his dreams determines the ways to achieve his plans. In this case, the dream is an active, voluntary, conscious process.

But there are people for whom the dream acts as a substitute for activity. Their dreams remain just dreams. One of the reasons for this phenomenon, as a rule, lies in the failures in life that they constantly suffer. As a result of a series of failures, a person refuses to fulfill his plans

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meet with a miracle in itself, that he'll be lucky. It is necessary to organize such a meeting during the process of his upbringing. Of course, it is not necessary that he imagine this as an experiment; everything should be natural for him. Anything can be a miracle: a painting, a book, music..." Thus, the answer suggests itself: practical experience is the basis for the work of the imagination, but this experience must be special. It should attract interest with its unusualness. But for a child everything is unusual. Therefore, he must understand that what he encounters is indeed unusual. Adults, and first of all parents, should help him with this. The attention of parents and their concern for the development of the child predetermine the miracle that the authors of the book write about. However, is it only a “miracle” that is necessary to trigger imagination and especially creativity? Many people encounter facts that are extremely interesting to them, but do not become creative as a result of this encounter. Apparently something else is needed, but what? In fact, there are many factors that determine the success of creativity. The most important of them are hard work and organization. Academician Obruchev, known for his great creative productivity on special issues, was also interested in literary activities. Amazing in this side activity for him huge scale: 100 printed sheets of works of art - five novels, articles, stories, dozens of feuilletons, books of memoirs. And this despite the fact that Obruchev spent many years traveling, held administrative positions, lived an intense social life, had a family, and changed his place of residence more than once. Obruchev's secret is simple - long hours of work every day. But this work would be impossible without a strict daily routine. In the book by V. A. Druyanov, dedicated to the life of Academician Obruchev, there are the following lines: “In Irkutsk, Moscow, Leningrad, at the dacha in Gatchina near Leningrad - no matter where the Obruchevs lived, a clear daily routine was established in their house like clockwork. And nothing could disrupt this strict, even despotic regime, according to which the head of the family had breakfast and lunch at the same time, spoke with his sons, and most importantly, went to his office at the same time.” As a result of a life lived in such a rhythm: more than 600 scientific papers, about 2500 reviews and abstracts, 323 popular science works, 17 works of art, more than 160 geological maps and diagrams. Many geologists and geographers would find it incredible to read all this.” From: Altshuller G. S., Vertkim I.M. How to become a genius: Life strategy of a creative person. - Minsk, 1994

and practice and plunges into a dream. In this case, the dream appears as a conscious, voluntary process that has no practical completion. It should be noted that this type of dream cannot be considered only as a negative phenomenon. Positive meaning Dreams of this type are to ensure the safety of the regulatory mechanisms of the body's systems. For example, failures in practical activities in most cases contribute to the formation of a negative mental state, which can be expressed in an increased level of anxiety, a feeling of discomfort, or even depressive reactions. In turn, a negative mental state acts as one of the factors causing difficulties in a person’s socio-psychological adaptation, the formation of maladaptive disorders and premorbid characteristics of any disease. In this situation, the dream can appear in the form of a peculiar form psychological protection, which provides temporary relief from problems that have arisen, which contributes to a certain neutralization of the negative mental state and ensures the preservation of regulatory mechanisms while reducing the overall activity of a person.

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It should be noted that these types of dreams are active, voluntary and conscious mental processes. However, imagination can also exist in another - passive form, which is characterized by involuntary play of the imagination. An example of such involuntary imagination, as we have already said, is a dream.

If voluntary, or active, imagination is intentional, that is, associated with volitional manifestations of a person, then passive imagination can be intentional and unintentional. Intentional passive imagination creates images that are not associated with the will. These images are called dreams. In dreams, the connection between imagination and the needs of the individual is most clearly revealed. It is easy to predict what a person will dream about as he anxiously awaits an event that is significant to him. People tend to dream about pleasant and tempting things. But if dreams begin to replace activity and dominate mental life personality, then this already indicates certain violations mental development. The predominance of dreams in a person’s mental life can lead him to a separation from reality, withdrawal into a fictional world, which, in turn, begins to inhibit mental and social development this person. Thus, a schoolchild, without preparing for classes and receiving unsatisfactory grades, can create for himself an illusory, fictitious life, where he succeeds in everything, where he succeeds in everything.

Rice. 11.1. Types of imagination

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they envy where he occupies a position that he cannot hope for at the present time and in real life.

Unintentional passive imagination is observed when the activity of consciousness is weakened, its disorders are in a half-asleep state, in sleep, etc. The most indicative manifestation of passive imagination are hallucinations, in which a person perceives non-existent objects. As a rule, hallucinations are observed in certain mental disorders.

Thus, when classifying types of imagination, we proceed from two main characteristics. This is the degree of manifestation of volitional efforts and the degree of activity, or awareness (Fig. 11.1).

11.3. Mechanisms for processing ideas into imaginary images

Images recreated in the process of imagination cannot arise out of nothing. They are formed on the basis of our previous experience, on the basis of ideas about objects and phenomena of objective reality. The process of creating imaginary images from impressions received by a person from reality can occur in various forms.

The creation of imaginary images goes through two main stages. At the first stage, a kind of division of impressions, or existing ideas, into their component parts occurs. In other words, the first stage of the formation of imaginary images is characterized by analysis impressions received from reality or ideas formed as a result of previous experience. During this analysis, there is abstraction object, i.e. it seems to us isolated from other objects, while abstraction of parts of the object also occurs.

With these images, transformations of two main types can then be carried out. Firstly, these images can be put into new combinations and connections. Secondly, these images can be given a completely new meaning. In any case, operations are performed with abstracted images that can be characterized as synthesis. These operations, which constitute the essence of the synthesizing activity of the imagination, are the second stage in the formation of imaginative images. Moreover, the forms in which the synthesizing activity of the imagination is carried out are extremely diverse. We will look at just a few of them.

The simplest form of synthesis in the process of imagination is agglutination, that is, the creation of a new image by attaching in the imagination parts or properties of one object to another. Examples of agglutination include: the image of a centaur, the image of a winged man in the drawings of North American Indians, the image of an ancient Egyptian deity (a man with a tail and an animal head), etc. (Fig. 11.2).

Agglutination is widely used in art and technical creativity. For example, everyone knows the advice that Leonardo da Vinci gave to the young

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Rice. 11.2. The image of a centaur as a result of imagination

to artists: “If you want to make a fictional animal seem natural - let it be, say, a snake - then take for its head the head of a shepherd or a pointer dog, adding to it a cat's eyes, an eagle owl's ears, a greyhound's nose, a lion's eyebrows, an old whiskey a rooster and the neck of a water turtle." In technology, as a result of the use of agglutination, for example, an amphibious vehicle and a hovercraft were created.

The processes underlying agglutination are very diverse. As a rule, they can be divided into two main groups: processes associated with a lack of criticality, or a lack of analytical perception, and voluntary processes, i.e., controlled by consciousness, associated with mental generalizations. The image of a centaur apparently arose when, under conditions insufficient visibility a man galloping on a horse was perceived as some kind of unprecedented animal. At the same time, the image of a winged man most likely arose consciously, since it symbolizes the idea of ​​fast and easy movement through the air and is concretized in a sensual image.

One of the most common ways of processing images of perception into images of imagination is increase or reduction of an object or its parts. Various literary characters have been created using this method.

Agglutination can also be carried out using incorporating already known images into a new context. In this case, new connections are established between ideas, thanks to which the entire set of images receives a new meaning. Typically, when introducing ideas into a new context, the process is preceded by a specific idea or goal. This process is completely controllable, unless it is a dream, when control of consciousness is impossible. When incorporating already known images into a new context, a person achieves correspondence between individual ideas and the holistic context. Therefore, the entire process is subordinated to certain meaningful connections from the very beginning.

The most significant ways of processing ideas into images of the imagination, following the path of generalization of essential features, are schematization And accent.

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Schematization can take place when different conditions. Firstly, schematization can arise as a result of an incomplete, superficial perception of an object. In this case, the representations are schematized randomly, and they sometimes highlight minor details that were accidentally discovered during the perception of the object. As a result, distortions arise that lead to the creation of imaginary images that distort reality. A similar phenomenon often occurs in children.

Secondly, the reason for schematization in the case is sufficient full perception object may be forgetting any unimportant details or parts. In this case, significant details and features come to the fore in the presentation. At the same time, the representation loses some individuality and becomes more generalized.

And finally, thirdly, the reason for schematization may be a conscious distraction from unimportant, or secondary, aspects of the object. A person consciously directs his attention to the essential, in his opinion, features and properties of an object and, as a result, reduces ideas to a certain scheme.

Emphasis is to emphasize the most significant, typical features of the image. As a rule, this method is used when creating artistic images. The main feature of this processing of images of perception into images of imagination is that, reflecting real reality and typifying it, an artistic image always gives a broad generalization, but this generalization is always reflected in a specific image. Moreover, the processing of ideas when creating a typical image is not accomplished by mechanical addition or subtraction of any features. The process of creating a typical image is complex creative process and reflects certain individual characteristics of the person creating this image.

11.4. Individual characteristics of imagination and its development

People's imagination is developed differently, and it manifests itself differently in their activities and public life. Individual characteristics of imagination are expressed in the fact that people differ in the degree of development of imagination and in the type of images with which they operate most often.

The degree of development of imagination is characterized by the vividness of images and the depth with which the data of past experience is processed, as well as the novelty and meaningfulness of the results of this processing. The strength and vividness of imagination is easily assessed when the product of imagination is implausible and bizarre images, for example, among authors fairy tales. Poor development of imagination is expressed in a low level of processing of ideas. Weak imagination entails difficulties in solving mental problems that require the ability to visualize a specific situation. With an insufficient level of imagination development, a rich and versatile emotional life is impossible. life plan.

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People differ most clearly in the degree of vividness of their imagination. If we assume that there is a corresponding scale, then at one pole there will be people with extremely high levels of vividness of the images of the imagination, which they experience as visions, and at the other pole there will be people with extremely pale ideas. As a rule, we find a high level of development of imagination among people engaged in creative work - writers, artists, musicians, scientists.

Significant differences between people are revealed regarding the nature of the dominant type of imagination. Most often there are people with a predominance of visual, auditory or motor images of the imagination. But there are people who note high development all or most types of imagination. These people can be classified as the so-called mixed type. Belonging to one or another type of imagination very significantly affects the individual psychological characteristics of a person. For example, people of the auditory or motor type very often dramatize the situation in their thoughts, imagining a non-existent opponent.

It should be noted that a person is not born with a developed imagination. The development of imagination occurs during human ontogenesis and requires the accumulation of a certain stock of ideas, which can later serve as material for creating images of the imagination. Imagination develops in close connection with the development of the entire personality, in the process of training and education, as well as in unity with thinking, memory, will and feelings.

It is very difficult to determine any specific age limits that characterize the dynamics of imagination development. There are examples of extremely early development imagination. For example, Mozart began composing music at the age of four, Repin and Serov could draw well at the age of six. On the other hand, late development imagination does not mean that this process will be at a low level in more mature years. History knows of cases where great people, for example Einstein, were not distinguished by a developed imagination in childhood, but over time they began to be talked about as geniuses.

Despite the difficulty of determining the stages of development of imagination in humans, certain patterns in its formation can be identified. Thus, the first manifestations of imagination are closely related to the process of perception. For example, children aged one and a half years are not yet able to listen to even the simplest stories or fairy tales; they are constantly distracted or fall asleep, but listen with pleasure to stories about what they themselves have experienced. This phenomenon clearly shows the connection between imagination and perception. A child listens to a story about his experiences because he clearly imagines what is being said. The connection between perception and imagination continues at the next stage of development, when the child begins to process received impressions in his games, modifying previously perceived objects in his imagination. The chair turns into a cave or an airplane, the box into a car. However, it should be noted that the first images of a child’s imagination are always associated with activity. The child does not dream, but embodies the processed image in his activities, even though this activity is a game.

An important stage in the development of imagination is associated with the age when a child masters speech. Speech allows the child to include in his imagination not only specific images, But and more abstract ideas and concepts. Moreover,

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speech allows the child to move from expressing images of imagination in activity to their direct expression in speech.

The stage of mastering speech is accompanied by an increase in practical experience and the development of attention, which allows the child to more easily identify individual parts of an object, which he already perceives as independent and with which he increasingly operates in his imagination. However, the synthesis occurs with significant distortions of reality. Due to the lack of sufficient experience and insufficient critical thinking, the child cannot create an image that is close to reality. The main feature of this stage is the involuntary nature of the emergence of imagination. Most often, images of imagination are formed in a child of this age involuntarily, in accordance with the situation in which he finds himself.

The next stage in the development of imagination is associated with the emergence of its active forms. At this stage, the process of imagination becomes voluntary. The emergence of active forms of imagination is initially associated with stimulating initiative on the part of an adult. For example, when an adult asks a child to do something (draw a tree, build a house out of cubes, etc.), he activates the imagination process. In order to fulfill the request of an adult, the child must first create, or recreate, a certain image in his imagination. Moreover, this process of imagination, by its nature, is already voluntary, since the child tries to control it. Later, the child begins to use his own imagination without any adult participation. This leap in the development of imagination is reflected primarily in the nature of the child’s games. They become focused and story-driven. The things around the child become not just stimuli for the development of objective activity, but act as material for the embodiment of images of his imagination. A child at the age of four or five begins to draw, build, sculpt, rearrange things and combine them in accordance with his plan.

Another major shift in imagination occurs during school age. The need for understanding educational material causes the activation of the process of recreating imagination. In order to assimilate the knowledge that is given at school, the child actively uses his imagination, which causes the progressive development of the ability to process images of perception into images of imagination.

Another reason for the rapid development of imagination during school years is that during the learning process the child actively acquires new and diverse ideas about objects and phenomena of the real world. These ideas serve as a necessary basis for imagination and stimulate the student’s creative activity.

11.5. Imagination and creativity

The role of imagination in the creative process cannot be overestimated. Creativity is closely related to all mental processes, including imagination. The degree of development of imagination and its characteristics are no less important for creativity than, say, the degree of development of thinking.

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The psychology of creativity manifests itself in all its specific types: inventive, scientific, literary, artistic, etc. What factors determine the possibility of creativity of a particular person? The possibility of creativity is largely provided by the knowledge a person has, which is supported by appropriate abilities, and is stimulated by a person’s determination. The most important conditions creativity is the presence of certain experiences that create the emotional tone of creative activity.

The problem of creativity has always been of interest not only to psychologists. The question of what allows one person to create, and deprives another of this opportunity, worried the minds of famous scientists. For a long time The prevailing view was that it was impossible to algorithmize and teach the creative process, which was substantiated by the famous French psychologist T. Ribot. He wrote: “As for the “methods of invention”, about which many scientific discussions have been written, they actually do not exist, since otherwise it would be possible to fabricate inventors in the same way as mechanics and watchmakers are now fabricated " However, gradually this point of view began to be questioned. The hypothesis that the ability to be creative can be developed came first.

Thus, the English scientist G. Wallace made an attempt to study the creative process. As a result, he was able to identify four stages of the creative process:

1. Preparation (idea generation).

2. Maturation (concentration, “contraction” of knowledge directly and indirectly related to a given problem, obtaining missing information).

3. Insight (intuitive grasp of the desired result).

4. Check.

Another scientist, G.S. Altshuller, developed a whole theory of solving creative problems. He identified five levels of creativity. Problems of the first level are solved by using means specifically intended for these purposes. This requires a mental search of only a few generally accepted and obvious solution options. In this case, the object itself does not change. Means for solving such problems are within one narrow specialty. Second-level tasks require some modification of the object to obtain the desired effect. The selection of options in this case is measured in dozens. Moreover, the means for solving such problems belong to one branch of knowledge.

The correct solution to problems of the third level is hidden among hundreds of incorrect ones, since the object being improved must be seriously changed. Techniques for solving problems at this level must be sought in related fields of knowledge. When solving problems of the fourth level, the object being improved changes completely. The search for solutions is carried out, as a rule, in the field of science, among rarely encountered effects and phenomena. At the fifth level, problem solving is achieved by changing the entire system, which includes the object being improved. Here the number of trials and errors increases many times over, and the means for solving problems of this level may be beyond the capabilities of today's science. Therefore, you first need to make a discovery, and then, based on new scientific data, solve a creative problem.

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According to Altshuller, one of important techniques solving creative problems is to translate them from higher levels to the lower ones. For example, if tasks of the fourth or fifth level are transferred to the first or second level using special techniques, then the usual enumeration of options will work. The problem comes down to learning how to quickly narrow the search field, turning a “difficult” task into an “easy” one.

Thus, despite the apparent ease, arbitrariness, and unpredictability of emerging images, the creative transformation of reality in the imagination is subject to its own laws and is carried out in certain ways. New ideas arise on the basis of what was already in consciousness, thanks to the operations of analysis and synthesis. Ultimately, the processes of imagination consist in the mental decomposition of initial ideas into their component parts (analysis) and their subsequent combination in new combinations (synthesis), i.e. they are analytical-synthetic in nature. Consequently, the creative process relies on the same mechanisms that are involved in the formation of ordinary images of the imagination.

Security questions

1. Describe imagination as a mental process.

2. Describe the role of imagination in human life and in the regulation of the body.

3. What are the physiological mechanisms of imagination?

4. What types of imagination do you know? Bring their classification.

5. Tell us about the role of dreams in a person’s life.

6. Tell us about the main stages of the formation of imaginary images.

7. What mechanisms for the formation of imaginary images do you know?

8. Tell us about the basic principles and processes of agglutination.

9. Tell us about the individual characteristics of imagination.

10. Expand the role of imagination in solving creative problems.

1. Blonsky P. P. Selected pedagogical and psychological works: In 2 volumes.

T. 1 / Ed. A. V. Petrovsky. - M.: Pedagogy, 1979.

2. Brushlinsky A.V. Imagination and creativity // Scientific creativity. - M.: Nauka, 1969.

3. Vygotsky L. S. Imagination and its development in childhood // Reader on Psychology. - M.: Education, 1987.

4. Granovskaya R. M. Elements of practical psychology. - St. Petersburg: Light, 1997. 5 .Dyachenko O. M. Preschooler's imagination. - M.: Knowledge, 1986.

6. Lindsay P., Norma D. Processing information in humans: Introduction to psychology / Trans. from English edited by A. R. Luria. - M.: Mir, 1974.

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7. Leontyev A. N. Selected psychological works: In 2 vols. T. 1 / Ed. V.V. Davydova and others - M.: Pedagogy, 1983. ,

8. Natadze R. G. Imagination as a factor of behavior // Reader on psychology. - M.: Education, 1987.

9. Nikiforov O. I. On the question of imagination // Questions of psychology. - 1972. - No. 2.

10. Rubinstein S. L. Basics general psychology. - St. Petersburg: Peter, 1999.

11. Strakhov I. V. Psychology of creativity: Lecture for pedagogical students. Inst. - Saratov, 1968.

12. Yakobson P. M. Psychology artistic creativity. - M.: Knowledge, 1971

Then the vivid fantasies of writers, artists, brilliant inventions of designers and discoveries of scientists come to mind. In fact, there are many more areas of use of imagination, some of which we are not even aware of. This mental process of creating images is actively involved in all types, not only conscious, but also unconscious. Imagination is so diverse that in psychology there is even a classification of its types.

Like other cognitive processes, imagination can be voluntary, that is, purposeful and regulated by our consciousness and volitional processes. But there is also involuntary imagination, which is associated not with conscious mental activity, but with the processes of the subconscious.

The degree of unconsciousness and involuntary imagination may vary. I think all of us have experienced a state when thoughts, images, ideas appear as if on their own, regardless of our desires. The thought freely “wanders in the convolutions” of the brain. Pictures and ideas pop up in your head; they are combined, modified, and evoke new associations. Sometimes at some stage we may become interested in a spontaneous thought and take control of the imagination process.

In such a situation, we are not only fully capable of controlling this mental process, but we also distinguish its images from the real ones, that is, we realize their fantastic nature. But there are other situations when the imagination is absolutely spontaneous, involuntary and passive, that is, the participation of images in any active activity is not even expected.

Passive involuntary imagination

This type of imagination includes dreams and hallucinations.

• Dreams are a creation healthy psyche, their vision is the result complex processes excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex. Inhibition allows our subconscious, where it is stored, to become active. huge amount figurative information. At the subconscious level, images intertwine and mix, giving birth to new combinations, like in a children's kaleidoscope. And such unusual pictures and intricate plots become the content of our dreams.
• Hallucinations, unlike dreams, are the result of painful conditions when brain activity is disrupted. This may be delirium during a serious illness, a consequence of alcohol and drug intoxication, or the result mental disorders. Sometimes hallucinations occur in response to severe emotional shocks, when a person's level of rational control is sharply reduced.

Despite their differences, these two types of imagination are united by man's inability to control them. But there are types of passive, unproductive imagination that are completely conscious and controllable, although they often arise spontaneously and to a certain extent involuntarily.

Passive voluntary imagination

This type includes two very close and similar mental phenomena - dreams and reveries. One of essential functions imagination – prognostic. Thanks to it, we can foresee developments in the future, not only probable, but also unlikely and even completely incredible. Why not? The power of our imagination is such that we are able to imagine anything: even a prince in a white Mercedes, even winning the lottery, even a dizzying success at work.

What is imagined does not always come true - there are not enough princes for everyone. But why not dream?

• Dreams are not just fantasies, but images of the desired future. They can be realistic to one degree or another, many of them require certain conditions and efforts for their implementation, but are quite achievable. And most importantly, even being a type of passive imagination, a dream encourages a person to be active.
• Dreams, unlike dreams, have no relation to reality; they are solely a product of our imagination, and, as a rule, a person does not even imagine doing anything to make dreams come true. This may be a pleasant, but illusory fulfillment of reality.

The boundary between a dream and a daydream is very fluid, sometimes it is difficult to notice, but the differences can be understood with a simple example. A girl, reading a book in the fantasy genre, imagines herself in the place of a heroine who finds herself in a fairy-tale world, where three princes or dark lords fall in love with her. It's a dream. And if a girl thinks that someday she will also write and even publish a similar book, then this is a dream. And with proper effort, it is quite feasible.

Active voluntary imagination

This is exactly the “workhorse” of our consciousness, which actively participates in all spheres and areas of life. This type of imagination is productive in nature, its images are embodied in reality and are the basis of creative activity. Active voluntary imagination also comes in two types: reproductive and creative.

Reproductive imagination

Imagination is always associated with the construction of new images, but the degree of their novelty may vary. The reproductive imagination recreates, reproduces images according to a description, diagram, drawing, for example:

• presentation of the house according to its detailed plan;
• knitting pattern according to the pattern;
• the image of the hero of the book according to the description;
• culinary masterpiece according to the recipe.

Reproductive imagination requires a well-developed imaginative thinking and richness of sensory experience. After all, images are created only from existing material, based on developed skills. Therefore, not everyone can “see” a finished house or device from a drawing, but only those who have been trained in this, who have specialized knowledge, including experience in linking a “picture” to a diagram.

The same can be said about imagining a literary character or a fantastic animal from a description. This is, in essence, “co-creation” with the writer. Moreover, the less clear and unambiguous the description is given, the more creative and original the image that appears in a person’s head will be. If the author describes the hero's appearance in detail, as in focusing on a criminal in the police, then he leaves no room for the reader's imagination, thereby reducing interest in both the hero and the book.

Creative imagination

This highest form both imagination and cognitive processes in general. Creative imagination has to do with more than just creating fantastic images. Realistic paintings or literary works require no less imagination. Moreover, it is creative, associated with the creation of vital, truthful, but completely new images. Creative imagination is necessary in both the scientific and design fields, and in any other field. Indeed, in every type of activity: from cooking and plumbing to poetry and management, there is a place for creativity.

It is creative imagination that allows us to see a situation from an unusual angle, find unexpected, non-standard solutions to a problem, find new paths and see what is hidden from ordinary view.

Creative imagination is often associated with inspiration and speaks of its spontaneity, unpredictability, and uncontrollability. Indeed, there is a connection with inspiration, the subconscious and the intuitive. However, this type of cognitive activity refers to arbitrary processes, which means it can be regulated and managed.

In psychology, special ones have been studied and described. Having mastered them, you can organize your activities in a completely new way, making them more productive, interesting and original.

Imagination - a special mental process that is expressed in the recreation and transformation of ideas, in the creation of new images that have never been in perception, in the construction of new connections and relationships that are absent in reality. In this regard, imagination can be classified as an intellectual-cognitive process. Imagination provides foresight of future results of activity, in changes in the surrounding world and in oneself, allows you to build a program of behavior and therefore can be classified as integrative processes.

Types of imagination:

1. active (creative - independent creation of new images, associated with creative activity; recreating - arises on the basis of descriptions, drawings and diagrams made by others);

2. passive (intentional - when the emergence of new images is associated with the presence of certain intentions to imagine something specific. Not associated with will (dreams); unintentional- occurs when the activity of consciousness weakens (in sleep-dreams). Imagination in some circumstances can act as a substitute for activity, its surrogate is passive imagination. A person can create passive imagination intentionally. This kind of images and fantasies, intentionally evoked, but not associated with the will, aimed at bringing them to life are called dreams. passive imagination can arise unintentionally, mainly when consciousness is weakened, in a half-asleep state, during temporary inactivity, in a state of passion, etc. Active recreation of imagination is based on the reconstruction of images that correspond to the description. Creative imagination involves the independent creation of new images, which are realized in original and valuable products of activity.

Fantasy - reflection of the surrounding reality in new unexpected connections and relationships.

Mechanisms of imagination:

1. Agglutination (gluing) - the combination of various qualities, properties, parts that are not connected in everyday life (the image of a mermaid)

2. Hyperbolization - characterized not only by exaggeration or understatement of an object or phenomenon (thumbelina, giant), but also by a change in the number of parts of the object or their displacement.

3. Schematization - drawing out certain features and emphasizing them.

4. Typification - identifying the essential that is repeated in homogeneous facts, embodying this in specific images.

Imaginative personality types:

1. Dreamer - with a dominant passive imagination.

2. Romantic - with a dominant active imagination.

3. Prose writer - prefers practical matters to dreams.

The place appears in the structure of mental phenomena

Imagination, based on images of perception, is at the same time its objective support, especially in the case when an object or its image with unclear outlines is perceived. Deepening the perception of an object with the help of imagination, in turn, depends on the clarity of the posed cognitive task.
There are also various internal relationships and complex relationships between the images of memory and imagination. Memory images are one of the essential foundations of imagination. The richer the content of memory and the more actively a person can operate with its images, the more likely this represents a favorable psychological prerequisite for the development of imagination. Images of imagination and emotional memory are closely related. Remembering the experience activates the images of the reconstructive imagination; the abundance and dynamism of these images, in turn, increase a person’s emotionality.
Attention is a condition for regulating the activity of the imagination and increasing its cognitive level.
The connection between imagination and thinking has its own characteristics. The first difference concerns the tasks that these processes solve. The main task of the imagination is to transform past impressions into new ones. The task of thinking is to know the truth. Thinking uses mental operations to solve its problems. Imagination has its own set of “techniques” for creating images, such as hyperbolization, schematization, etc. Imagination has limitations associated with the volume of images with which we operate. From this point of view, the possibilities of thinking are endless. However, these two processes in reality are inextricably unified. Their relationship is manifested in the fact that in the most unrestrained fantasy there will inevitably be elements of mental activity, just as in the most rigorous reasoning elements of fantasy are inevitable. Quite often, a certain mental structure of a person is planned in advance by him as a result of the synthetic activity of thinking and imagination. These include hypotheses. In order to obtain the truth from hypotheses, one must get rid of everything fantastic, but one must not forget that the beginning of creating a hypothesis, like all scientific research, is the scientist’s imagination. Therefore, we can say that imagination, in a certain sense, is the beginning of mental activity.

Functions, types, mechanisms of imagination

Functions of imagination:

1. representing reality in images, as well as creating the opportunity to use them when solving problems;

2. regulation emotional states;

3. voluntary regulation of cognitive processes and human states, in particular perception, attention, memory, speech, emotions;

4. formation of an internal plan of action - the ability to carry them out internally, manipulating images;
5. planning and programming activities, drawing up programs, assessing their correctness, and the implementation process.

Species

According to the degree of activity of the subject of imagination, two types can be distinguished: active imagination - using it, a person, by force of will, at will evokes corresponding images.

passive - images arise spontaneously, beyond the will and desire of a person, and are not subject to control

Active imagination:
1) recreating imagination (reproductive)

Using it, the task is to recreate an idea of ​​something that corresponds as fully as possible to its description. Although there is also an element of fantasy, such imagination is more like perception or memory than creativity. We encounter this type of imagination when we read descriptions of geographical places or historical events, or get acquainted with literary characters. Recreating imagination forms not only visual ideas, but also tactile and auditory ones. Most often we are faced with recreating imagination when it is necessary to recreate some idea from a verbal description. However, there are times when we recreate an idea of ​​​​an object not using words, but on the basis of diagrams and drawings. In this case, the success of recreating an image is largely determined by a person’s spatial imagination abilities, i.e., the ability to recreate an image in three-dimensional space.

2) creative imagination (productive)

In the course of creative imagination, a person independently creates new images that have personal or social value (The main ones are the modification and transformation of images, the creation of new synthetic compositions.) It is characterized by the fact that a person transforms ideas and creates new ones not according to an existing model, but independently outlining the contours of what is being created image and choosing the necessary materials for it.

The essence of this type of imagination is the independent creation of new images. At the same time, a dream has a number of significant differences from creative imagination. Firstly, in a dream a person always creates an image of what he wants, whereas in creative images the desires of their creator are not always embodied. In dreams, what attracts a person and what he strives for finds its figurative expression. Secondly, a dream is a process of imagination that is not included in creative activity, that is, it does not immediately and directly produce an objective product in the form of a work of art. The main feature of a dream is that it is aimed at future activities, i.e. a dream is an imagination aimed at the desired future
Passive imagination:
1) passive intentional imagination (or dreams) - the creation of imaginary images that are initially perceived by a person as unreal, impracticable, illusory, dream-like.
2) passive unintentional imagination creates images when special conditions personality or his body, when a person does not control the process of creating these images (dreams and hallucinations).
Mechanisms of imagination:
-agglutination - creating a new image from parts of other images
-hyperbolization - increasing or decreasing an object and its parts
-schematization - smoothing out differences between objects and identifying their similarities
-emphasis - emphasizing the features of objects
- typification - highlighting what is repetitive and essential in homogeneous phenomena

Imagination and creativity

The role of imagination in the creative process cannot be overestimated. Creativity is not only closely related to imagination, it is impossible without it.
Creativity is the generation of something new, and this usually requires significant costs. Accordingly, we can say about creative people that they most likely have a developed imagination, thinking and concentration. Creativity is possible in all spheres of human life.

According to the types of human activity, for example, the following types of creativity are distinguished:
- inventive, - technical, - scientific,
- literary, - artistic, - artistic,
- musical, - political, - military, etc.
Creativity is a very multifaceted process. It is greatly influenced not only by imagination and thinking, but also by emotions, will, and perception.
Gradually, the hypothesis that the ability to be creative can be developed came to the fore in science. The English scientist G. Wallace made an attempt to study the creative process. As a result, he was able to identify four stages of creativity:
1. Preparation (idea generation).
2. Maturation (concentration, “contraction” of knowledge directly and indirectly related to a given problem, obtaining missing information).
3. Insight (intuitive grasp of the desired result).
4. Check.
G. S. Altshuller developed a whole theory of solving creative problems. He identified five levels of creativity (from easy to complex):
1. Problems of the first level are solved by using means directly intended for these purposes. This requires a mental search of only a few generally accepted and obvious solution options. In this case, the object itself does not change. The means for solving such problems are within one narrow specialty. The amount of creativity here is minimal.
2. Second-level tasks require some modification of the object to obtain the desired effect. The selection of options in this case is measured in dozens. Moreover, the means for solving such problems belong to one branch of knowledge.
3. The tasks of the third level are even more difficult, here the right decision hidden among hundreds of incorrect ones, since the object being improved must be seriously changed. Techniques for solving problems at this level must be sought in related fields of knowledge.
4. At the fourth level, the object being improved changes completely. The search for solutions is carried out, as a rule, in the field of science, among rarely encountered effects and phenomena.
5. At the fifth level, problem solving is achieved by changing the entire system, which includes the object being improved. Here the number of trials and errors increases many times over, and the means of solving problems at this level may be beyond the capabilities of today's science and even the human mind.

/ Imagination

General characteristics of imagination and its functions

Human consciousness is capable of not only storing information about objects, but also producing with it various operations. Man emerged from the animal kingdom because he learned to create complex tools. But in order to create a stone axe, you first had to create it in your imagination. Man differs from animals in that he is able to create in his mind an image of an object or phenomenon that does not yet exist, and then brings it to life. After all, in order to transform the world in practice, you first need to be able to transform it mentally. This ability to construct new images in one’s thoughts is called imagination. The process of imagination is manifested in the creation by a person of something new - new images and thoughts, on the basis of which new actions and objects arise. Imagination is part of the individual’s consciousness, one of the cognitive processes. It reflects the outside world in a unique and unique way; it allows you to program not only future behavior, but also work with images of the past.

Imagination- this is a process of creative transformation of ideas that reflect reality, and the creation on this basis of new ideas that were not previously available.

In addition to this, there are other definitions of imagination. For example, it can be defined as the ability to imagine an absent (at the moment or generally in reality) object, hold it in consciousness and mentally manipulate it. Sometimes the term “fantasy” is used as a synonym, which denotes both the process of creating something new and the final product of this process. Therefore, in psychology the term “imagination” has been adopted, denoting only the procedural side of this phenomenon.
Imagination differs from perception in two ways:

The source of emerging images is not the external world, but memory;
- it corresponds less to reality, since it always contains an element of fantasy.

Functions of imagination:
1 Representation of reality in images, which makes it possible to use them when performing operations with imaginary objects.
2 Formation of an internal action plan (creating an image of a goal and finding ways to achieve it) in conditions of uncertainty.
3 Participation in the voluntary regulation of cognitive processes (memory management).
4 Regulation of emotional states (in auto-training, visualization, neuro-linguistic programming, etc.).
5 The basis for creativity - both artistic (literature, painting, sculpture) and technical (invention)
6 Creating images that correspond to the description of an object (when a person tries to imagine something he has heard or read about).
7 Producing images that do not program, but replace activity (pleasant dreams replacing boring reality).

Types of imagination:

Depending on the principle underlying the classification, we can distinguish different types imagination (Fig. 10.1):

Classification of imagination

Characteristics of certain types of imagination

Active imagination(intentional) - the creation by a person of his own free will of new images or ideas, accompanied by certain efforts (the poet is looking for a new artistic image to describe nature, the inventor sets the goal of creating a new technical device etc.).

Passive imagination(unintentional) - in this case, a person does not set himself the goal of transforming reality, and images spontaneously arise on their own (this type of mental phenomena includes a wide range of phenomena, ranging from dreams to an idea that suddenly and unplannedly arose in the mind of the inventor).

Productive (creative) imagination - the creation of fundamentally new ideas that do not have a direct model, when reality is creatively transformed in a new way, and not simply mechanically copied or recreated.

Reproductive (recreative) imagination - the creation of an image of objects or phenomena according to their description, when reality is reproduced from memory in the form as it is.

Characteristics of certain types of imagination:

Dreams can be classified as passive and involuntary forms of imagination. According to the degree of transformation of reality, they can be either reproductive or productive. Ivan Mikhailovich Sechenov called dreams “an unprecedented combination of experienced impressions,” and modern science believes that they reflect the process of transferring information from operative to long-term memory. Another point of view is that in a person’s dreams many vitally important things find expression and satisfaction. important needs, which for a number of reasons cannot be implemented in real life.

Hallucination- passive and involuntary forms of imagination. According to the degree of transformation of reality, they are most often productive. Hallucinations are fantastic visions that have no obvious connection with surrounding a person reality. Hallucinations are usually the result of some kind of mental disorder or the effect of drugs or drugs on the brain.

Dreams Unlike hallucinations, they are quite normal mental state, which is a fantasy associated with a desire, most often a somewhat idealized future. This is a passive and productive type of imagination.

Dream It differs from a dream in that it is more realistic and more feasible. Dreams are a type of active forms of imagination. According to the degree of transformation of reality, dreams are most often productive. Dream Features:
- When dreaming, a person always creates an image of what he wants.
- It is not directly included in human activity and does not immediately produce practical results.
- A dream is aimed at the future, while some other forms of imagination work with the past.
- The images that a person creates in his dreams are distinguished by emotional richness, bright character, and at the same time - a lack of understanding of specific ways to realize the dream.

Dreams and daydreams occupy a fairly large part of a person's time, especially in youth. For most people, dreams are pleasant thoughts about the future. Some also experience disturbing visions that give rise to feelings of anxiety, guilt, and aggressiveness.

Mechanisms for processing ideas into imaginary images. The creation of imaginary images is carried out using several methods:

Agglutination- “folding”, “gluing” various parts that are not connected in everyday life. An example is the classic character of fairy tales - the centaur, the Serpent-Gorynych, etc.

Hyperbolization- a significant increase or decrease in an object or its individual parts, which leads to qualitatively new properties. An example is the following fairy-tale and literary characters: the giant Homeric Cyclops, Gulliver, Little Thumb.

Accenting- highlighting a characteristic detail in the created image (friendly cartoon, caricature).

The leading characteristics of imagination include brightness, clarity, realism, controllability, and the degree of activity of images.

A person can simply think about some object or phenomenon that is currently absent in the field of his perception, or he can imagine it so vividly and vividly that the image will be indistinguishable from the real object. This depends on the brightness and clarity of the individual’s imagination. The brightness and liveliness of children's imagination is well known. Children sometimes confuse fantastic images of their imagination with real events and characters. Fantasy replaces and replaces reality in play and some types of productive activity.

The realism of imaginary images is understood as their proximity to objects and actions reflected in the form of an image. Realism for goals is especially important. The more fully all the parameters of an activity are presented in a goal, the more easily it will be realized in life. At the same time there is special type people called dreamers, projectors, subjects “not of this world,” whose imagination differs sharply from reality, today’s realities of Life. In this sense, the realism of the imagination is the opposite of the fantastic.

The property of controllability is understood as the ability to change the content of the imagination process or influence individual parameters of imagination images (their modality, details, etc.) at the discretion of the person himself. Typically, high controllability correlates with high productivity of imagination processes.

The degree of activity is determined by the ability of imagination to act as regulators, motives for activity and behavior1. The emotional richness of images increases activity. This can be confirmed by various fears of neurotics, who replace real events by playing them in their imagination. Dreams, ideals, and phobias have the greatest activity, and therefore the motivating force; daydreams and erotic fantasies have the least. The activity of imagination is not a stable individual characteristic. It will be determined by the presence in consciousness of one or another form of imagination. However, one and the same image can have great motivating power for one subject and insignificant for another. In this sense, the activity of imagination is an individual characteristic.

Based on the identification of the leading modality in the processes of receiving and processing information, a classification of people was carried out within the framework of non-linguistic programming (NLP). According to it, visualists have a predominance of visual images, kinesthetics have a predominance of motor and tactile images, and auditories have a predominance of auditory images.

Gender studies aimed at studying differences in the imagination of men and women have shown that representatives of the “strong half of humanity”, on average, have greater realism and controllability of imagination. Women in general have more high performance by brightness parameter. No significant differences were found regarding the degree of activity - passivity.

With age, the productivity of imagination processes increases. L.S. Vygotsky experimentally proved the validity of this position. The belief that children have “better” imaginations than adults is unfair. This incorrect point of view is explained relatively more early dates development of the imagination function in comparison with other mental processes, in particular logical memory and thinking. The lack of self-control in fantasy gives rise to the illusion of ease with which the child produces more and more new images of the imagination. Children only have greater vividness of images; they also have little control over them.

During adolescence, the productivity of the figurative sphere increases significantly. It is at this stage of their development that people plan for the future, they have a craving for creativity, and their creative potential is at its highest.

The presence of a number of personal characteristics in a person (neurotic traits, suggestibility, autism, etc.) leaves an imprint on the course of imagination processes. Thus, high suggestibility sharply reduces the activity and stability of imagination (for example, goals, ideals), making them easily changeable and correctable by other people. And the tendency to withdraw into oneself (autism) closely correlates with the high productivity of imagination processes. But consideration of these features is the task of special sections of psychology. Let us only note that the mental make-up of a person is manifested not only in behavior, but also in the peculiarities of the course of mental processes, in particular imagination.