What is imagination? Personality psychology: the harm and benefits of a rich imagination

Our fantasies and dreams are able to paint life with new colors. It is difficult to imagine your everyday existence without them. The images that appear in the head, a kaleidoscope of pictures and dreams, not only give a mood, but also develop Creative skills and extraordinary thinking.

Imagination in psychology

The human brain is able not only to perceive and memorize information, but also to perform all kinds of operations with it. In ancient times, primitive people at first were completely like animals: they got food and built primitive dwellings. But human abilities have evolved. And one fine day, people realized that it is much more difficult to hunt an animal with their bare hands than with the help of special devices. After scratching the back of their heads, the savages sat down and came up with a spear, bow and arrow, and an ax. All these objects, before they were created, were embodied in the form of images in the human brain. This process is called imagination.

People developed, and at the same time, the ability to mentally create images, completely new and based on existing ones, improved. On this foundation, not only thoughts, but also desires and aspirations were formed. Based on this, it can be argued that imagination in psychology is one of the processes of cognition of the surrounding reality. This is the imprint of the outside world in the subconscious. It allows not only to imagine the future, to program it, but also to remember the past.

In addition, the definition of imagination in psychology can be formulated in another way. For example, it is often called the ability to mentally imagine an absent object or phenomenon, manipulate it in your mind, and hold its image. Imagination is often confused with perception. But psychologists argue that these cognitive functions of the brain are fundamentally different. Unlike perception, imagination creates images based on memory, not on the outside world, and it is also less real, as it often contains elements of dreams and fantasy.

Imagination functions

It is difficult to imagine a person who is completely lacking in imagination. If you think about it, then in your environment there are pragmatic people, as if down to earth. All their actions are dictated by logic, principles and arguments. But it is impossible to say that they have absolutely no creative thinking and imagination. It's just that these cognitive processes are either insufficiently developed or are in a "dormant" state.

Such people are a little sorry: they live boring and uninteresting, do not use at the same time creative possibilities brain. After all, according to general psychology, imagination gives us the opportunity to be individual, unlike the "gray mass". With its help, a person stands out, occupies his own niche in society. Imagination has several functions, using which, each of us becomes a special person:

• Cognitive. With the help of imagination, we expand our horizons, gain knowledge, acting in an uncertain situation on the basis of our conjectures and ideas.
• Forecasting function. The properties of imagination in psychology are such that they help us imagine the result of still unfinished activity. This function also shapes our dreams and dreams.
• Understanding. With the help of imagination, we can imagine what the interlocutor has in his soul, what feelings he is experiencing. We understand his problem and behavior, conventionally putting ourselves in his place.
• Protection. By predicting possible future events, we can thereby protect ourselves from trouble.
• Self-development. The properties of imagination in psychology allow us to create, invent, fantasize with its help.
• Memory. We remember the past, which is stored in our brain in the form of certain images and representations.

All of the above functions of the imagination are developed unequally. Each person is dominated by a separate property, which often affects his behavior and character.

The main ways of creating images

There are several of them, but each of them characterizes the concept of imagination in psychology as a rather complex, multi-level process.

1. Agglutination. Evaluating and analyzing the qualities, properties and appearance of an object, we create in our imagination a new, sometimes bizarre image, far from reality. For example, in this way was invented fairytale character Centaur (human body and horse legs), as well as Baba Yaga's hut (house and chicken legs), elf (human image and insect wings). As a rule, a similar technique is used when creating myths and legends.
2. Accentuation. Isolation in a person, object or activity of any one, dominant characteristic and its exaggeration. This method is actively used by artists when creating cartoons and cartoons.
3. Typing. The most complex method, based on the selection of the features of several objects and the creation of a new, prefabricated image of them. This is how they come up with literary heroes, characters in fairy tales.

These are the main methods of imagination in psychology. Their result is already existing material, but transformed and modified. Even scientists in their seemingly boring and dry field of activity also actively use the imagination. After all, they have developed new types of drugs, inventions and various know-how at the expense of already existing knowledge and skills. Having learned something special and most important from them, they create a completely new product. Thus, we can conclude: without imagination, humanity would never have known what progress is in all types of activity.

Active imagination

Usually, such types of imagination in psychology are distinguished: active and passive. They differ not only internal filling, but also the main forms of its manifestation. Active imagination is the conscious construction of various images in your mind, solving problems and re-creating connections between subjects. One of the ways it manifests itself is fantasy. For example, an author writes a screenplay for a film. He comes up with a story based on real facts that are embellished with fictitious details. The flight of thought can lead so far that in the end what is written turns out to be phantasmagoric and virtually impossible.

Any action movie in cinema is an example of fantasy: the elements real life there are (weapons, drugs, crime bosses) along with exaggerated characteristics of the heroes (their invincibility, the ability to survive under the onslaught of hundreds of attacking hooligans). Fantasy manifests itself not only during creativity, but also in everyday life. We often mentally reproduce human capabilities that are unrealistic, but so desirable: the ability to become invisible, fly, breathe underwater. Imagination and fantasy in psychology are closely interconnected. They often result in productive creativity or ordinary daydreaming.

A special manifestation of active imagination is a dream - the mental creation of images of the future. So, we often imagine how our house by the sea will look like, what kind of car we will buy with the accumulated money, what we will call the children and what they will become when they grow up. It differs from fantasy in its reality, down-to-earthness. A dream can always come true, the main thing is to apply all your efforts and skills to this.

Passive imagination

These are images that visit our consciousness involuntarily. We do not make any effort to this: they arise spontaneously, have both real and fantastic content. The most a shining example passive imagination are our dreams - the imprint of previously seen or heard, our fears and desires, feelings and aspirations. During "night movie shows" we can see possible scenarios for the development of certain events (a quarrel with loved ones, a catastrophe, the birth of a child) or absolutely fantastic scenes (an incomprehensible kaleidoscope of unrelated images and actions).

By the way, the last type of vision, provided that it is seen by a waking person, is called a hallucination. It is also passive imagination. In psychology, there are several reasons for this condition: severe head trauma, alcohol or drug intoxication, intoxication. Hallucinations have nothing to do with real life; often they are completely fantastic, even insane visions.

In addition to active and passive, one can also distinguish such types of imagination in psychology:

• Productive. Creation of completely new ideas and images as a result of creative activity.
• Reproductive. Recreating pictures from already existing schemes, graphs and illustrative examples.

Each of these types of imagination is capable of influencing real events, activities and even the future of an individual.

The role of imagination in human life

If it seems to you that you can live without it, then you are greatly mistaken. Imagination has its embodiment in practice in the form of a certain activity, and this is not always creativity. For example, we use it to solve mathematical and other logical problems. By mentally presenting a condition, we find the correct answer. Also, imagination helps to control and regulate emotions and relieve tension in relationships between people. Imagine this situation: the husband says that he is going to the bathhouse with friends, but promises to compensate for his absence with a romantic trip to a restaurant. Angry and offended at first, the wife, anticipating beautiful candles, foaming champagne and delicious seafood, suppresses her anger and avoids quarrels.

Imagination in psychology is closely related to thinking, therefore it has a direct impact on the knowledge of the world. Thanks to him, we can mentally perform actions, manipulate images of objects, simulate situations, thereby developing analytical mental activity. Imagination even helps regulate the physical condition of the body. Facts are known when only by the power of thought a person changed blood pressure, body temperature or pulse rate. It is these possibilities of imagination that are the foundation of auto-training. And vice versa: inventing the presence of various diseases, a person really begins to feel the symptoms of ailments.

The ideomotor act is also a practical embodiment of the imagination. It is often used by illusionists when trying to find objects hidden in the hall. Its essence is that, by imagining a movement, the magician provokes it. The artist notices micro-changes in the gaze or grip of the audience's hands and unmistakably determines who has the thing he needs.

Development of imagination

Mental activity is inseparable from images. Therefore, thinking and imagination in psychology are closely related. Developing logic and analytical skills helps us improve our fantasies, creativity, and latent abilities. The main types of development of imagination with the help of thinking are as follows:

1. Play activities. Especially the modeling of life situations, role-playing scenes, the creation of a number of associations, as well as modeling, origami and drawing.
2. Reading literature as well self test pen: writing poetry, stories, essays. It is also effective to describe what you read verbally and using images.
3. Study of geographical maps. During this lesson, we always imagine the landscapes of a particular country, the appearance of people, their activities.
4. Drawing graphs, schemes, diagrams.

As you can see, psychology studies imagination and thinking, imagination and creativity are inseparable from each other. Only their common functionality and mutual complementarity make us truly unique individuals.

We have already seen that psychology considers the development of imagination in parallel with the progress of thinking. His close connection with activities has also been proven, as evidenced by one story that happened to a certain violinist. For a petty crime, he was imprisoned for several years. The instrument, of course, was not given to him, so every night he played an imaginary violin. When the musician was released, it turned out that he not only had not forgotten the notes and compositions, but now he mastered the instrument much better than ever.

Inspired by this story, doctors at Harvard Medical School decided to conduct a unique study. They divided the subjects into two groups: one played a real piano, the other a fictional one. As a result, those who imagined the instrument only in their thoughts showed good results. They have not only mastered the basic musical works but also showed good physical shape. It turned out that their fingers were trained as if they were practicing on a real piano.

As you can see, imagination is not only fantasies, dreams, dreams and the play of the subconscious, it is also what helps people to work and create in real life. Psychologists claim that it can be controlled and thus become more educated and developed. But sometimes you should be wary of him. After all, the false facts that the imagination slips at us can push us to a crime. One has only to remember Othello to understand what troubles our flight of fantasy can cause.

Healing with imagination

Psychologists say that the most The best way to become healthy is to imagine yourself as such. A blooming and vigorous image in our minds quickly becomes real fact and the disease recedes. Both medicine and psychology describe this effect in detail. The topic "Imagination and its Impact on Oncology" has been studied in detail by Dr. Cal Simonton, a leading cancer specialist. He argued that meditation and auto-training helped to recover even those patients who were diagnosed with the last stage of the disease.

To a group of people who were diagnosed with throat cancer, the doctor suggested in parallel with drug treatment use a course of so-called relaxation therapy. Three times a day, the patients relaxed and presented a picture of their complete healing. Patients who could no longer swallow on their own imagined how they were having a delicious lunch with their family, how food freely and painlessly penetrated through the larynx directly into the stomach.

The result amazed everyone: after a year and a half, some patients did not even have traces of the disease. Dr. Simonton is sure that positive images in our brain, will and aspiration can work miracles. Imagination is always ready to be embodied in real form. Therefore, where there is war, it is worth imagining a world where quarrels are harmony, where illness is health. A person has many hidden abilities, but only imagination gives us the opportunity to rise above all limitations, overcoming space and time.

The level of imagination in different people

To determine it, you need to contact a specialist. He will ask you to take an imagination test. Psychology, its methods in the form of questions and answers, are able to analyze the level and capabilities of this mental state specifically for you. It has already been proven that women have a better imagination than men. In the stronger sex, the left hemisphere of the brain, which is responsible for logic, analysis, and language abilities, is naturally more activated. Therefore, imagination often plays a small role in their lives: men like to operate with specific facts and arguments. And women are subject to the influence of the right hemisphere of the brain, which makes them more sensitive, intuitive. Imagination and fantasy often become their prerogative.

As for children, their fantasies and dreams often amaze adults. Kids are able to go far from reality, hide in a fictional world. But this does not mean that their imagination is more developed: due to their small life experience, their brain does not have in its stock such a gallery of images as adults have. But, even with insufficient experience, children are sometimes able to amaze with the binge of their imagination.

Astrologers have another interesting version. They argue that everything unconscious, including the imagination, is ruled by the Moon. The sun, on the contrary, is responsible for specific actions and actions of a person. Since Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Aquarius and Sagittarius are under the great influence of the Moon, their imagination is richer and more multifaceted than that of other signs of the Zodiac. Be that as it may, you can always develop your fantasies and creative inclinations in yourself. The processes of imagination, designated in psychology, can be easily improved. Thanks to them, you become a separate person, unlike the "gray mass" of people and clearly standing out from the same-faced crowd.

Imagination

Mental process, expressed:

1) in the construction of the image, means and the end result of the subject's objective activity;

3) in the production of images, to-rye do not program, but replace the activity;

4) in creating images that match the description of the object.

Critical V. in the fact that it allows you to present the result of labor before it begins, thereby orienting a person in the process of activity. The creation of a model of the final or intermediate product of labor with the help of V. contributes to its objective embodiment.

A Brief Psychological Dictionary. - Rostov-on-Don: "PHOENIX". L.A. Karpenko, A. V. Petrovsky, M. G. Yaroshevsky. 1998 .

Imagination

A person's ability to build new images by processing mental components acquired in past experience; the process of mental creation of an image of an object or situation by restructuring available representations. Part of the consciousness of a person, one of the cognitive processes, characterized by a high degree of clarity and concreteness. In the imagination, the external world is reflected in a peculiar and unique way, there is a figurative anticipation of the results that can be achieved through certain actions; it allows you to program not only future behavior, but also to represent possible conditions, in which this behavior will be implemented. One of the sources for the development of imagination, where it acquires communicative qualities, is the game of preschoolers. Imagination is expressed:

1 ) in building the image of the means and the end result of the activity of the subject subject;

2 ) in creating a program of behavior when the problem situation is uncertain;

3 ) in the production of images, which do not program, but replace activities;

4 ) in the creation of images corresponding to the description of the object.

It is traditionally viewed as an independent process, but some authors tend to identify it either with thinking or with representation. The most important value of imagination is that it allows you to imagine the result of labor before it begins, thereby orienting a person in the process of activity. The creation of a model of the final or intermediate product of labor with the help of imagination contributes to its objective embodiment. The fundamental difference between human labor and the behavior of instinctive animals lies in the presentation of the expected result with the help of imagination. It is included in any labor process, any creative activity. In the course of activity, imagination appears in unity with thinking. The inclusion of imagination or thinking in the process of activity is determined by the degree of uncertainty of the problem situation, the completeness or lack of information contained in the initial data of the problem. If the initial data are known, then the course of solving the problem obeys mainly the laws of thinking; if the data is difficult to analyze, then the mechanisms of imagination are at work. Quite often the problem can be solved both with the help of imagination and with the help of thinking. The value of imagination is that it allows you to make a decision in the absence of the proper completeness of knowledge required to complete the task; but at the same time, the ways of solving the problem are often not precise enough, not strict, in which the limitation of the imagination is manifested. It is usually considered that the imagination operates with representations and does not extend to the content expressed by abstract concepts. But recently a different approach has emerged - the presentation of imagination as a combination of not only figurative, but also abstract content. It is customary to distinguish between two types of imagination - recreational and creative imagination. This division is partly relative, for each of these types contains elements of the other. The leading mechanism of creative imagination, in which the purpose is the creation of a new, not yet existing object, is the process of introducing a certain property of objects from another area. Also differ:

1 ) arbitrary imagination - manifested in the purposeful solution of scientific, technical and artistic problems;

2 ) involuntary imagination - manifested in dreams, in meditative images.

The processes of imagination, as well as thinking, memory and perception, have an analytical and synthetic character. The main tendency of the imagination is the transformation of the representations of memory, which ultimately ensures the creation of a deliberately new, previously unoccupied situation. The essence of imagination, if we talk about its mechanisms, is the transformation of ideas, the creation of new images on the basis of cash. Imagination is a reflection of reality in new, unusual, unexpected combinations and connections. The synthesis of representations in the processes of imagination is realized in various forms:

1 ) agglutination-combination of qualities, properties, parts of objects that are not connected in reality;

2 ) hyperbolization, or accentuation - an increase or decrease in an object, a change in the quality of its parts;

3 ) sharpening - emphasizing certain features;

4 ) schematization - smoothing out the differences between objects and identifying features of similarity between them;

5 ) typification - the allocation of the essential, repeated in homogeneous phenomena and its embodiment in a specific image.

According to the severity of activity, they differ:

1 ) passive imagination;

2 ) active imagination.

The process of imagination is not always immediately realized in practical actions. Often, the imagination takes the form of a special internal activities, which consists in creating an image of the desired future - in dreaming. Dream - necessary condition transformation of reality, an incentive, a motive of activity, the final completion of which was delayed. A synonym for imagination is fantasy.

Dictionary of the Practical Psychologist. - M .: AST, Harvest... S. Yu. Golovin. 1998.

Cognitive process.

A person's ability to build new images by processing mental components acquired in past experience. In the imagination, there is a figurative anticipation of the results that can be achieved with the help of certain actions. The imagination is characterized by a high degree of clarity and concreteness. One of the mechanisms of creative imagination, in which the goal is the creation of a new, not yet existing object, is the process of introducing into it some property of an object from another area.

One of the sources for the development of imagination, in which it acquires communicative qualities, is the game of preschoolers.

Arbitrary imagination is manifested in the purposeful solution of scientific, technical and artistic problems,

Involuntary imagination manifests itself in dreams, in meditative images.

Psychological Dictionary... THEM. Kondakov. 2000.

Imagination

   IMAGINATION (with. 123) is a mental process, which consists in creating new ideas and ideas based on existing experience. Expressed:

1) in building the image of the means and the end result of objective activity;

2) in creating a program of behavior when a problem situation is characterized by uncertainty;

3) in the production of images that do not program, but replace, simulate reality;

4) in the creation of images corresponding to the description of the object. It has an analytical and synthetic character, like other mental processes (,). Imagination is a reflection of reality in new, unusual, unexpected combinations and connections. The most important purpose of imagination is that it allows you to imagine the results of labor before it begins, thereby orienting a person in the process of activity. Imagination allows you to make a decision even in the absence of the necessary completeness of knowledge necessary to complete the task. However, this is also the limitation of imagination - the ways of solving problems outlined with its help are often not precise enough.

   There are two types of imagination: passive and active. Passive imagination is devoid of efficiency, it is characterized by the creation of images and plans that are not implemented. In this case, imagination acts as a surrogate for activity, with the help of which a person avoids the need to act. Passive imagination can be intentional and unintentional. Unintentional passive imagination is observed with a weakening of the activity of consciousness, in a dream, with pathological disorders of consciousness. Intentional passive imagination produces specially created images (dreams) that are not associated with the will, which could contribute to their implementation. The predominance of dreams in the imagination indicates certain defects in the development of personality. Active imagination can be creative and re-creating. Creative imagination involves the independent creation of images that are realized in original and valuable products of activity; it is an integral part of technical, artistic and any other creativity. Often, imagination takes the form of a special internal activity, which consists in creating images of the desired future, that is, in the emergence of a dream. A dream is a necessary condition for transforming reality, a motive for an activity, the final completion of which, for some reason, was delayed. Imagination, which is based on the creation of images corresponding to the description, is a recreational imagination. When reading educational and fictional literature, when studying geographical maps and historical descriptions, it is necessary, with the help of recreational imagination, to construct in consciousness what is displayed in these books, on these maps. The child's imagination makes it possible to master the world in the game, and for an adult - to transform the world in active creative activity.

Popular psychological encyclopedia. - M .: Eksmo... S.S. Stepanov. 2005.

See what "imagination" is in other dictionaries:

IMAGINATION- fantasy - the ability of human consciousness to create images that have no direct analogs in reality. Philosophy studies the creative productive V., which, starting from the present thing with its random signs and characteristics ... Philosophical Encyclopedia

IMAGINATION- rules the world. Napoleon I A wealth of associations does not always indicate a wealth of imagination. Karol Izhikovsky Many people confuse their imagination with their memory. Henry Wheeler Shaw We are all heroes in our novels. Mary McCarthy (see Fiction and Fantasy) ... Consolidated encyclopedia of aphorisms

IMAGINATION- the ability to mentally represent objects, actions, situations that are not given in actual perception. V. the basis of the creative. activities. Creative V., in contrast to the reproductive, surpasses the content of consciousness received in the past experience. ... ... Encyclopedia of Cultural Studies

Imagination- Imagination ♦ Imagination The ability to imagine, that is, to imagine images in the mind's eye, including mainly in those cases when the represented object itself is absent. These images, as Sartre notes, are acts, and ... ... Sponville's Philosophical Dictionary

IMAGINATION- IMAGINATION, imagination, many others. no, cf. 1. The ability to imagine, mental reproduction of something, fantasy. Lively and passionate imagination. A frustrated imagination. || The ability to be creative, to create new images through combinations ... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Imagination Is a mental cognitive process aimed at modeling a new image or idea. Imagination is strongly linked to other processes: memory, thinking, speech and attention. Indeed, in order to clearly imagine something, it is necessary to have complete information about the subject of interest, to be able to analyze and compare.

In everyday life, we often resort to the need to imagine something in our head. Let's say abstract concepts or artistic images, one way or another, need to imagine them, so they are easier to remember. Imagination helps to make the inner world of a person brighter and richer. This process allows the individual to forecast a certain situation in time, build existing prospects and internally prepare for the consequences of his choice. Sometimes people with extremely developed imaginations suffer from the fact that they begin to create such images that have nothing to do with reality, thereby misleading themselves and others. Human imagination helps creative people to create unique works of authorship. The essence of it as a process is to construct new images from the existing ones - inimitable and unique.

Types of imagination

In modern psychological science, it is customary to distinguish between voluntary (intentional) imagination and involuntary. In the second case, the process itself manifests itself in dreams that a person sees. That is, the events and experiences experienced during the day are transformed into individual images, which the personality continues to “scroll” in a dream.

Intentional imagination it is activated only with the participation of the will of a person and includes several subspecies: recreational, creative, dream. Recreational imagination works on the basis of existing ideas about a particular subject. So, when reading fiction, we unconsciously build abstract pictures in our head, supplement them with our own ideas, meanings and meanings. It often happens that the same work gives rise to different (and even opposite) images in people.

Creative imagination is formed by transforming existing ideas about the world into unique structures. The creative process gives rise to a new product that necessarily reflects the individual vision of the world of its creator. A special kind of imagination is dream... This type of imagination is different in that an image of the desired is always created in it, there is no special focus on the result in order to get it here and now. Striving for the future and the ephemerality of the emerging image sometimes leads to a departure from reality, to stay in a world of dreams and fantasies. If a person makes active plans for the implementation of what he has conceived, then the dream turns into a goal, which is much easier to realize in reality.

Imagination functions

Imagination as a mental cognitive process performs the main task of reflecting objective reality. The human brain is able to fully perceive information only when it is truly interesting to it. Among the main functions, it is customary to distinguish the following:

• Goal setting and planning. Before taking up any business, a person needs to imagine its final result. In some cases, the success of the enterprise depends on the ability to predict and build a sequence of steps. Imagination is here connecting link between the desired goal and the final product of the activity. In this case, it is concrete, has nothing to do with fantasies. A dream can lead a person to new achievements, but only if he is ready to act, to take practical steps in the desired direction.
• Cognitive function. No activity is possible without permanent work above oneself. Whatever a person is busy with, for successful development he always needs productive activity. The need to learn new things, improve their skills and abilities leads to the process of enhancing cognitive activity.
• Adaptive function. This function consists in the need to explain to yourself incomprehensible phenomena. So in ancient times, people created legends and fairy tales, using the imagination to minimize their own fear of the unknown.
• Psychotherapeutic function. Imagination can be successfully used by a person as psychological protection when he “invents” non-existent realities in such a way that they correspond to his inner readiness to perceive the world around him. The therapeutic focus is expressed in sublimated images, designation and recognition of one's own feelings.

Forms of imagination

• Agglutination. It is a kind of fusion of images of various properties of objects. All mythical creatures are based on this technique: centaur, mermaid, etc. Agglutination appears as a result of combination individual characteristics and the formation of a mixed image.
• Accentuation. It manifests itself in deliberate exaggeration, focusing on any particular feature of a literary or mythical character. For example, a boy with a finger was so tiny that he could be compared to a little finger in height.
• Hyperbolization. Enlarging or reducing an object to its ultimate size by imagination, thereby achieving the effect of absurdity. Exaggeration often emphasizes the character of a character, forces the reader to build their own assumptions about why this happened.
• Typing. Even the most creative image is created according to a certain type. Schematization facilitates the process of creating a picture of an object with the imagination and simplifies its perception. Essential features are taken as a basis, and a holistic image is built on their essence.
• Schematization. Helps to build a new image based on existing representations of a particular subject. General scheme is built by highlighting similar features and transferring them to other objects.
• Aggravation. It consists in deliberately emphasizing individual features of objects.
• Transfer of signs. It can manifest itself in the creation of non-existent objects, mythical and fantastic creatures, inanimate objects and endowing them with signs of living.
• Imagination techniques affect the modeling of individual reality, the creation of high-quality images that did not exist before. The whole effect is achieved with the help of imagination.

Features of imagination

Through this mental process, each individual has a unique opportunity to create and model his own reality. Special needs such as self-fulfillment and personal growth are directly reflected through the imagination. So, for example, an artist is able to reflect in a work those issues that most strongly concern him, thereby reducing the number of his own feelings about this. Imagination is a great help to the sublimation process. The role of imagination in any kind of activity is extremely high.

Development of imagination

Imagination, as a process that helps to cognize the world around us, can and should be improved. To solve this problem, the best fit special exercises and activities aimed at its development. I must say that imagination cannot be developed separately from attention, memory and thinking. That is why the tasks presented below contribute to the noticeable progress of all cognitive processes, the leading of which is imagination.

• Forecasting the future situation. The development of imagination begins with the formation of the skill to clearly imagine an object or phenomenon. Before starting any business, try to think in advance what will come of it. Answer yourself to the question, what do you want to get as a result, what do you see as the final goal. It has been proven that the ability to imagine and think constructively in the direction of a given goal forms self-confidence, gives additional strength, adds determination, and reduces doubts.
• Creation of an artistic image. Writing a fairy tale, story, creating a portrait or landscape will do. You can also include embroidery here, the main thing is that you like the process itself. First, build in your head the image you want to portray. Try to keep it bright, eye-catching, helping to reveal your aspirations and talents. It is not necessary to create "War and Peace", you can limit yourself to a small poem or sketch, the main condition is that creativity should inspire new ideas. It's good if, in the process of imagination, they begin to arise fresh images and ideas. The exercise is aimed at developing the ability to develop an image, to let it unfold in all its completeness and diversity.
• Completing the figure. The exercise consists in developing the skill to create a picture in imagination out of nothing, perfectly trains attention to detail, teaches you to understand that a new image can be modeled from the smallest details. In the center on a sheet of paper, as a rule, there is a fragment of the figure that needs to be completed. If you distribute such sheets to the participants of a small group and ask them to complete the task, each will end up with their own unique drawing. The process of imagination for each person works purely individually.
• "I am a successful person." If you have long dreamed of self-realization, then doing this exercise will bring you great joy and a tremendous rise in energy. Imagine what you need in order to consider yourself an accomplished person. The main task is to realize as concretely as possible and keep in mind the activity that brings maximum satisfaction, helps to develop your personality. When this image is found, continue to draw in your imagination a picture of ideal success, note what events should happen in the future. The exercise is unique in that it allows not only to train the imagination, but also aims a person at a positive result, helps to develop faith in own strength and opportunities.

These imagination exercises contribute to the formation of an individual vision of life, building prospects for personal and professional advancement. Tasks can be completed every day, they are suitable for representatives of any professions and ranks. Of course, it will be much easier to fulfill them. creative people related to painting, literature, music, design, etc.

Thus, the role of imagination in human life is extremely significant and profound. After all, each of us in any activity needs to master abstract thinking, to be able to imagine the desired effect. Try to read more books, participate in the cultural and social life of the city, constantly improve your potential. A developed imagination is an integral part of a successful personality.

The images with which a person operates include not only previously perceived objects and phenomena. The content of images can also become what he never perceived directly: pictures of the distant past or future; a place where he has never been and never will be; creatures that do not exist, not only on Earth, but in general in the Universe. Images allow a person to go beyond the real world in time and space. It is these images, transforming, modifying human experience, that are the main characteristic of the imagination.

Usually, imagination or fantasy does not mean exactly what is meant by these words in science. In everyday life, imagination or fantasy is called everything that is unreal, does not correspond to reality and that thus has no practical... In fact, imagination, as the basis of all creative activity, is equally resolutely manifested in all aspects of cultural life, making artistic, scientific and technical creativity possible.

Through sensations, perception and thinking, a person reflects the real properties of objects of the surrounding reality and acts in accordance with them in specific situation... Through memory, he uses his past experiences. But human behavior can be determined not only by the current or past properties of the situation, but also by those that may be inherent in it in the future. Thanks to this ability, images of objects appear in human consciousness that do not exist at the moment, but can subsequently be embodied in specific objects. Ability to reflect the future and act as expected, i.e. imaginary, the situation is characteristic only of a person.

Imagination- the cognitive process of reflecting the future by creating new images based on the processing of images of perception, thinking and ideas obtained in previous experience.

Through imagination, images are created that have never been generally accepted by man in reality. The essence of imagination is to transform the world. This determines the most important role of imagination in the development of man as an acting subject.

Imagination and thinking are processes that are similar in structure and function. LS Vygotsky called them "extremely related", noting the commonality of their origin and structure as psychological systems. He considered imagination as a necessary, integral moment of thinking, especially creative, since the processes of forecasting and anticipation are always included in thinking. In problem situations, a person uses thinking and imagination. An imaginative idea of possible solution strengthens the motivation of the search, and determines its direction. The more uncertain the problematic situation is, the more unknown it is, the more significant the role of imagination becomes. It can be carried out with incomplete initial data, since it supplements them with products of its own creativity.

There is also a deep relationship between imagination and emotional-volitional processes. One of its manifestations is that when an imaginary image appears in a person's mind, he experiences true, real, and not imaginary emotions, which allows him to avoid unwanted influences and bring the desired images to life. L. S. Vygotsky called it the law of "emotional reality of imagination"

For example, a person needs to cross a stormy river by boat. In imagining that the boat might capsize, he experiences not imaginary, but real fear. This prompts him to choose more safe way crossings.

Imagination can influence the strength of emotions and feelings experienced by a person. For example, people often experience a feeling of anxiety, anxiety about only imaginary, not real events. Changing the image of the imagination can reduce the level of anxiety, relieve tension. Representing the experiences of another person helps the formation and manifestation of a sense of empathy and empathy towards him. In volitional actions, the representation in the imagination of the final result of the activity prompts for its implementation. The brighter the image of the imagination, the greater the motivating force, but at the same time the realism of the image also matters.

Imagination is a significant factor in personality development. Ideals as an imaginary image that a person wants to imitate or to which he strives, serve as models for the organization of his life, personal and moral development.

Types of imagination

Exists different kinds imagination. By the degree of activity imagination can be passive and active. Passive imagination does not stimulate a person to take action. He is satisfied with the created images and does not seek to realize them in reality, or draws images that, in principle, cannot be realized. In life, such people are called utopians, fruitless dreamers. NV Gogol, creating the image of Manilov, made his name a household name for this type of people. Active imagination is the creation of images that are subsequently realized in practical actions and products of activity. Sometimes this requires a lot of effort from a person and a significant investment of time. Active imagination enhances creative content and efficiency in other activities.

Productive

Imagination is called productive, in the images of which there is a lot of new (elements of fantasy). The products of such imagination are usually not like anything or very little like what is already known.

Reproductive

Reproductive is imagination, in the products of which there is a lot of what is already known, although there are also some elements of the new. Such, for example, is the imagination of a novice poet, writer, engineer, artist, who at first create their creations according to well-known models, thereby learning professional skills.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are called products of the imagination, born of an altered (not normal) state of human consciousness. These conditions can occur when different reasons: illness, hypnosis, exposure to psychotropic substances such as drugs, alcohol, etc.

Dreams

Dreams are products of the imagination aimed at the desired future. Dreams contain more or less real and, in principle, realizable plans of a person. Dreams as a form of imagination are especially characteristic of young people, who still have a large part of their lives ahead of them.

Daydreaming

Dreams are called peculiar dreams, which, as a rule, are divorced from reality and, in principle, are not realizable. Dreams occupy an intermediate position between dreams and hallucinations, but their difference from hallucinations is that dreams are products of the activity of a normal person.

Dreaming

Dreams have always been and still are of particular interest. Currently, they are inclined to believe that the processes of information processing by the human brain can be reflected in dreams, and the content of dreams is not only functionally connected with these processes, but can include new valuable ideas and even discoveries.

Arbitrary and involuntary imagination

Imagination is connected in various ways with the will of a person, on the basis of which voluntary and involuntary imagination is distinguished. If images are created with weakened activity of consciousness, imagination is called involuntary... It takes place in a half-asleep state or in a dream, as well as in some disorders of consciousness. Arbitrary imagination is a deliberate, directed activity, performing which, a person is aware of its goals and motives. It is characterized by the deliberate creation of images. Activity and randomness of imagination can be combined different ways... An example of voluntary passive imagination is dreaming, when a person deliberately indulges in thoughts that it is unlikely to ever come true. Arbitrary active imagination is manifested in a long, purposeful search for the desired image, which is typical, in particular, for the activities of writers, inventors, and artists.

Recreational and creative imagination

In connection with past experience, two types of imagination are distinguished: recreational and creative. Re-creating imagination is the creation of images of objects that were not previously perceived by a person in a finished form, although he is familiar with similar objects or with their separate elements... Images are formed by verbal description, schematic image - drawing, drawing, geographic map... In this case, the knowledge available with respect to these objects is used, which determines the predominantly reproductive nature of the created images. At the same time, they differ from memory representations in a great variety, flexibility, and dynamism of image elements. Creative imagination is the independent creation of new images that are embodied in original products of various types of activity with minimal indirect reliance on past experience.

Realistic imagination

Drawing various images in their imagination, people always assess the possibility of their implementation in reality. Realistic imagination takes place if a person believes in reality and the possibility of embodying the created images. If he does not see such an opportunity, fantastic imagination takes place. There is no hard line between realistic and fantastic imagination. There are many cases when an image born of a person's fantasy as completely unrealistic (for example, a hyperboloid invented by A. N. Tolstoy) later became a reality. Fantastic imagination is present in role-playing games children. It formed the basis of literary works of a certain genre - fairy tales, science fiction, “fantasy”.

With all the variety of types of imagination, they are characterized by common function, which determines their main importance in human life - anticipation of the future, an ideal representation of the result of an activity before it is achieved. Associated with it are other functions of the imagination - stimulating and planning. The images created in the imagination induce, stimulate a person to realize them in concrete actions. The transformative influence of imagination extends not only to the future activity of a person, but also to his past experience. Imagination promotes selectivity in its structuring and reproduction in accordance with the goals of the present and the future. The creation of images of imagination is carried out through complex processes of processing of actual perceived information and memory representations. Just as in thinking, analysis and synthesis are the main processes or operations of the imagination. Through analysis, objects or ideas about them are divided into component parts, and with the help of synthesis, an integral image of the object is rebuilt. But unlike thinking in imagination, a person more freely handles the elements of objects, recreating new holistic images.

This is achieved using a set of processes specific to the imagination. The main ones are exaggeration(exaggeration) and understatement of real-life objects or their parts (for example, creating images of a giant, genie or Thumbelina); accentuation- underlining or exaggerating real-life objects or their parts (for example, long nose Pinocchio, blue hair Malviny); agglutination- the combination of various, real-life parts and properties of objects in unusual combinations (for example, the creation of fictional images of a centaur, a mermaid). The specificity of the imagination process is that they do not reproduce certain impressions in the same combinations and forms in which they were perceived and preserved in the form of past experience, but build new combinations and forms from them. This reveals a deep inner connection between imagination and creativity, which is always aimed at creating something new - material values, scientific ideas, or.

The relationship of imagination and creativity

There are different types of creativity: scientific, technical, literary, artistic and others. None of these types is possible without the participation of imagination. In its main function - anticipation of what does not yet exist, it conditions the emergence of intuition, guesswork, insight as the central link in the creative process. For the scientist, imagination helps to see the studied phenomenon in a new light. In the history of science there are many examples of the emergence of images of the imagination, later realized in new ideas, great discoveries and inventions.

The English physicist M. Faraday, studying the interaction of conductors with current at a distance, imagined that they were surrounded by invisible lines like tentacles. This led him to discover power lines and the phenomena of electromagnetic induction. The German engineer O. Lilienthal observed and analyzed the soaring flight of birds for a long time. The image of an artificial bird that appeared in his imagination served as the basis for the invention of the glider and the first flight on it.

Creating literary works, the writer realizes in the word the images of his aesthetic imagination. Their brightness, breadth and depth of the phenomena of reality covered by them are subsequently felt by the readers, and they evoke feelings of co-creation in them. LN Tolstoy wrote in his diaries that "when perceiving truly artistic works, the illusion arises that a person does not perceive, but creates, it seems to him that he has produced such a wonderful thing."

The role of imagination is also great in pedagogical creativity. Its specificity lies in the fact that the results of pedagogical activity do not appear immediately, but after some, sometimes a long time. Their representation in the form of a model of the child's personality being formed, the way of his behavior and thinking in the future determines the choice of teaching and upbringing methods, pedagogical requirements and influences.

All people have different creative abilities. Their formation is determined a large number different kinds of aspects. These include innate inclinations, human activities, environmental characteristics, conditions of education and upbringing that affect the development of a person's mental processes and personality traits that contribute to creative achievements.

Imagination is a great gift of nature, which can be used by everyone from a very young age. This is the ability of inner vision, which is associated with many aspects of our life. This quality is designed to serve the benefit of a person and help him in real life to achieve what he could see inside himself, in his thoughts and dreams.

Why is it worth developing imagination?

As a rule, adults rarely think about developing their creativity and imagination. It so happened - the ace is taught to be realistic, not to "hang in the clouds", not to build illusions and castles in the air. But by neglecting the development of imagination, we can deprive ourselves of many advantages. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why it's worth developing your imagination.

First, a developed fantasy contributes to the flexibility of the mind, makes a person's thinking more productive. So, it would seem, just the ability to dream, but in fact it turns out that fantasy is closely related to the level of intelligence. That is, by developing your imagination, you become smarter!

Secondly, imagination is not a useless function that is needed only for preschoolers to make their childhood more fun. No! Imagination helps us to extract from the depths of our subconsciousness that we did not know about. For years, our imagination accumulates energy, which is given to each person along with his dreams. At the moment when a person is completely ready to realize what his fantasy drew, the accumulated energy is released and gives a powerful impetus, which allows you to get closer to the goal faster. If you need strength to live a successful life, you cannot neglect to develop your imagination.

Thirdly, thanks to your imagination, you can reach great heights in professional activity or in business. Modern world develops at a crazy pace, and every year there are so many new things that creative ideas, just come in handy. Therefore, a person with a good imagination, able to come up with fresh ideas and solutions, will always have a good position and income.

And of course - the power of imagination, this is your inner strength, which opens up many opportunities for you. Your imagination is where all of your success begins. Everything that is created by man today was once born exactly there, in a small part of the brain, which generated and allowed a person to see the finished result with his inner vision.

How can you develop your imagination?

Child psychologists are now talking a lot on this topic. They are concerned that today's children do not have such developed imagination like babies from previous generations. Of course, the action of television and various gadgets is blamed for everything. In fact, TV, smartphone, computer, tablet are useful devices. But, for a growing and developing brain, they can be harmful.

Why? The reason is the way the information is presented! The simpler and clearer the information presented, the less the brain needs to strain. Imagination is practically not used when watching a cartoon. But, if a child reads a book, or listens to a fairy tale, the brain areas associated with creativity and fantasy are immediately involved, because the baby needs to activate internal vision in order to visualize the information received.

The same problem has affected adults as well. It is not for nothing that one often hears that TV makes people less inventive, active and experience difficulties even in the simplest thought processes. Simply put, their brains become less flexible. Therefore, first of all, it is better to refuse or minimize the receipt of information from TV screens and computers. Yes, of course, it's easier to watch the video, and not read the book, but if you care about your mind and consciousness, and strive to reach heights in life, you need to sacrifice something. This is the only thing that can interfere with the harmonious development and activation of fantasy.

Consider another list of tips that, on the contrary, will contribute to the development of imagination.

There is one simple and at the same time effective exercise for the development of the parts of the brain responsible for creativity. The simplicity is that it can be practiced anywhere, anytime. The bottom line is this. Try in your imagination to simulate different life situations... Scroll through the plot, improvise, draw the smallest details in your head. For example, imagine meeting a friend in a cafe for a cup of tea in the evening. Try to hear this light music, feel the smell, see the details of the interior.

Another very popular way to develop your imagination is reading books. The more often you allow yourself to enjoy the book, the more stressed your brain, and specifically, the department responsible for the power of the imagination. The brain is like muscles, the stronger and more often you strain it, the more productive it will work.

Start writing your thoughts, impressions, emotions. Keep a diary, or just do it periodically when you have a moment to spare and inspiration. Every time you write down something from your experience, or just your thoughts, you experience it in a new way, and your imagination is used again.

Effective and effective method development of fantasy - communication with people who have already managed to develop this quality well. Such people are seething with energy and ideas, they have many plans and dreams that they would like to realize in their lives. As strange as it may sound, this energy is transmitted. Allow yourself to be "infected" with this, plunge into the atmosphere of creation and creativity, soak up this energy.

And of course, don't forget about other creative activities and hobbies. Perhaps you have a long-standing dream of learning how to draw or crochet. Make up your mind and start engaging in any creative activities that will activate your brain, forcing your imagination to develop.

Remember that by reaching the heights in the development of imagination, you can break forward in many areas of life. Do not stop and do not let any circumstances get in your way, and then you will have great success!