Sensory Imagery Test (Psi-Q)

The Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire (Psi-Q) was developed by psychological researchers Jackie Andrade, Jon May, Catherine Deeprose, Sarah-Jane Baugh, and Giorgio Ganis to provide a reliable, multi-sensory measurement of mental imagery. For many decades, psychological investigations into mental simulation focused almost exclusively on visual imagery, frequently overlooking how individuals recreate sounds, aromas, or physical sensations in the mind. The research team constructed the Psi-Q to systematically evaluate conscious imagery across seven distinct sensory channels, enabling people to explore the breadth and depth of their imaginative capabilities.

Mental imagery refers to the cognitive capacity to simulate perceptual experiences in the absence of direct environmental input. In daily life, this capacity plays a fundamental role in how we recall memories, plan complex actions, daydream, and navigate emotional experiences. While one person might effortlessly form a vivid mental picture of a friend's face or an evening sunset, another person might excel at replaying musical melodies, hearing a siren, or recalling the sound of hands clapping. The Psi-Q evaluates both visual imagery and sound imagery alongside other frequently unexamined sensory modalities.

In addition to sight and hearing, the questionnaire measures chemical, tactile, and somatic forms of imagination. Smell imagery involves mentally generating realistic scents, such as a blooming rose, fresh paint, or a stuffy room, while taste imagery evaluates how clearly one can imagine the flavor of mustard, toothpaste, or a lemon. Touch imagery reflects the vividness of tactile sensations, like feeling warm sand or touching the sharp point of a pin. Bodily imagery captures internal somatic states, such as the relaxation of a warm bath or having a sore throat, while emotional imagery assesses the intensity of simulated feelings like excitement, relief, or anger.

Empirical research utilizing the Psi-Q demonstrates that these seven modalities represent separate, distinct dimensions of mental life rather than a uniform, single cognitive trait. An individual can display exceptionally vivid auditory or emotional imagery while experiencing comparatively faint visual or olfactory imagery. These variations represent natural differences in cognitive style, illustrating how different human minds process, organize, and internally reconstruct sensory details during everyday thought processes and problem solving.

Your test results are presented as a seven-part profile across all evaluated modalities, alongside a transparent Total Sensory Imagery summary calculated as the plain mean of the seven modality scores. The total offers an overall orientation while the individual facets show where your imagination is most vivid. The resulting chart incorporates population comparison markers to offer helpful context for interpreting your responses. Please note that these markers represent estimates derived from published research samples rather than standardized population norms or clinical percentiles. Having a higher or lower rating in any particular modality is simply a descriptive reflection of your subjective clarity in that specific sensory domain.

This test is designed strictly for educational and self-exploratory purposes. It does not measure physical sensory acuity, neurological functioning, or diagnostic conditions, nor does it equate mental imagery vividness with intelligence, artistic talent, or cognitive capability. Different imagery profiles carry unique advantages depending on the activity or context. This assessment is based on the Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire authored by Andrade and colleagues but operates independently and is not affiliated with the original researchers or their academic institutions.

References

• Andrade, J., May, J., Deeprose, C., Baugh, S., & Ganis, G. (2013). Assessing vividness of mental imagery: The Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire. British Journal of Psychology, 105(4), 547-563.