What is an image?

Broadly speaking, image refers to the representation of information. In psychology, these representations have been distinguished as either analogous or symbolic and form the basis of thought. These two forms of images can be either mental or physical. Analogous representations are images that share some characteristics of the actual physical objects they represent. A realistic drawing of a hammer (physical) is an attempt to show the tool from a particular perspective (mental). Our minds often produce images without effort. For example, think of an apple and more than likely the thought takes on the form of an analogous representation or a picture like image of the object, red and round. By contrast, symbolic representations, usually text or language, are abstract. There is no relationship to the physical objects that they represent or symbolize. The word hammer stands for a tool. There is no correspondence between what a hammer looks like and feels like and the word hammer. Of course, the relationship that exists between the mental and the physical is bi-directional. Whereas ones thoughts and ideas may manifest and express themselves through the creation of physical images, physical images can also trigger the experience of a mental image. The two are inextricable, and thus cannot be easily separated or defined. In either case, an image can be seen as a useful tool of communication with ourselves and between others. An image can be powerful or useless, strong or weak, depending on its ability to effectively communicate and serve its purpose. Some images enter and then fade from our memory, while others stay with us informing our continued existence. Perhaps the greatest strength of analogous imagery is its ability to transcend language and communicate in non-linguistic form.