Thinking Visually

Thinking Visually documents the many ways pictures, visual images, and spatial metaphors influence our thinking. The book discusses recent empirical, theoretical, and applied contributions that support the view that visual thinking occurs not only where we expect to find it, but also where we do not. Much of comprehending language, for instance, depends on visual simulations of words or on spatial metaphors that provide a foundation for conceptual understanding. This edition has been fully updated throughout and features new coverage of a range of topical and fascinating areas of research, including aesthetics, visual narratives, communicating health risks, dreams, clinical imagery, mathematical games, and the influence of action on perception. It also features a new chapter on Mixed Reality to showcase the many exciting developments in this area. The broad coverage, colorful figures, and research discoveries provide a solid foundation for understanding visual thinking across a wide spectrum of activities. It will be an essential read for all students and researchers interested in Visual Thinking.

Table of Contents:
Preface Part I. Development Chapter 1: Images Versus Words Chapter 2: Images Before Words Chapter 3: Estimation Part II. Visual Displays Chapter 4: Pictures Chapter 5: Diagrams Chapter 6: Graphs Part III. Images Chapter 7: Creating Images Chapter 8: Manipulating Images Chapter 9: Spatial Metaphors Part IV. Multimedia Instruction Chapter 10: Multimedia Principles Chapter 11: Mathematics Instructional software Chapter 12: Science Instructional software Part V. Action Chapter 13: Physical Reality Chapter 14: Virtual Reality Chapter 15: Mixed Reality Epilogue

About the Author :
Stephen K. Reed is an Emeritus Professor at San Diego State University and a visiting scholar at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of five books, including Cognitive Skills You Need for the 21st Century. He is now working on the 10th edition of the text Cognition: Theory and Applications.

Review :
"The updated version of Thinking Visually is visually beautiful, as befits the topic. Readers will relish this understandable overview guide to an increasingly important field in psychology, education, design, communication and engineering." - Nora S. Newcombe, Professor of Psychology, Temple University "Dr Stephen Reed provides a rare combination of an exceptionally knowledgeable cognitive psychologist and an equally exceptionally clear writer. Both characteristics shine through in the 2nd edition of Thinking Visually. This interesting book should be in the library of everyone concerned with the topic of visual thinking. I can strongly recommend it." - John Sweller, Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology, University of New South Wales If you are reading this, you probably care about how people think, communicate and learn. You might also believe that visual representation is one of the most important and perhaps underappreciated aspects of these phenomena. In that case, you are in for a treat. In this book (through words and images), Stephen Reed provides a wide-ranging, up to date and readable discussion of visual thinking. The topics range from cave paintings to augmented reality (and so much in between). The accounts of evidence and a wide range of theoretical perspectives are complemented by examples to bring the arguments to life. I strongly recommend you dive in. - Professor Shaaron Ainsworth, Director:Learning Sciences Research Institute, University of Nottingham "The updated version of Thinking Visually is visually beautiful, as befits the topic. Readers will relish this understandable overview guide to an increasingly important field in psychology, education, design, communication and engineering." - Nora S. Newcombe, Professor of Psychology, Temple University "Dr Stephen Reed provides a rare combination of an exceptionally knowledgeable cognitive psychologist and an equally exceptionally clear writer. Both characteristics shine through in the 2nd edition of Thinking Visually. This interesting book should be in the library of everyone concerned with the topic of visual thinking. I can strongly recommend it." - John Sweller, Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology, University of New South Wales If you are reading this, you probably care about how people think, communicate and learn. You might also believe that visual representation is one of the most important and perhaps underappreciated aspects of these phenomena. In that case, you are in for a treat. In this book (through words and images), Stephen Reed provides a wide-ranging, up to date and readable discussion of visual thinking. The topics range from cave paintings to augmented reality (and so much in between). The accounts of evidence and a wide range of theoretical perspectives are complemented by examples to bring the arguments to life. I strongly recommend you dive in. - Professor Shaaron Ainsworth, Director:Learning Sciences Research Institute, University of Nottingham