Episode 158 On mental imagery and reading, with Sebastian Suggate

On this episode Lars speaks to Sebastian Suggate, who is a professor in education at the University of Regensburg in Germany. We talk about his early research into reading instruction, on the difference between it is possible to learn to read and when it is optimal to learn to read, the importance of oral language and vocabulary, the effectiveness of reading interventions, and the simple view of reading. We then talk about his more recent research into mental imagery, what this is and why the concept has seen a lot of debate and controversy (especially the debates between Stephen Kosslyn and Zenon Pylyshyn), and how it relates to different topics like reading, fine motor skills and screen time during early development, aphantasia (the inability to form any mental images), and the different theories about the role of mental imagery in cognition and memory. 

For a list of Sebastian’s publications, see: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=no&user=119RxMgAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate 

Author website: https://sebastiansuggateresearch.com/ 

Articles and books mentioned:

• Pylyshyn, Z. W. (2002). Mental imagery: In search of a theory. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 25(2), 157–238. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X02000043 
• Cole, G., Samuel, S., & Eacott, M. (2022) 'A return of mental imagery: The pictorial theory of visual perspective-taking.', Consciousness and Cognition, Elsevier: Available at: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103352  
• Damasio, A. (2010). Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain. Pantheon
• Tversky, B., (2019). Mind in Motion: How Action Shapes Thought. Basic Books, Hatchette Book Group
• Ivo Andric, (1945) The bridge over the Drina

 

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Our logo is by Sveinung Sudbø, see his works on originalkopi.com

The music is by Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen, see the facebook page Nygrenda Vev og Dur for more info. 

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