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 co ntrol of mental images in a sample of boys and girls aged 7 to 17 years. Ch ildren were assessed on two aspects of mental imagery, vividness and contro l, and teachers were asked to rate the children's intellectual and socioemo tional performance. Analysis showed that the capacity for image control inc reased in adolescence and that children characterized by vivid and uncontro lled imagery received the lowest ratings from teachers, whereas those with nonvivid and controlled imagery received the highest ratings. The implicati ons of these results were discussed in relation to normal and abnormal deve lopment as well as suggestions for research.