Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ)

For each item on this questionnaire, try to form a visual image, and consider your experience carefully. For any image that you do experience, rate how vivid it is using the five-point scale described below. If you do not have a visual image, rate vividness as “1.” Only use “5” for images that are truly as lively and vivid as real seeing. Please note that there are no right or wrong answers to the questions, and that it is not necessarily desirable to experience imagery or, if you do, to have more vivid imagery.

1. No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object
2. Vague and dim
3. Moderately clear and vivid
4. Clear and reasonably vivid
5. Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

Think of some relative or friend whom you frequently see (but who is not with you at present) and consider carefully the picture that comes before your mind’s eye.

The exact contour of face, head, shoulders and body.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

Characteristic poses of head, attitudes of body, etc.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

The precise carriage, length of step, etc., in walking.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

The different colours worn in some familiar clothes.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

Visualize a rising sun. Consider carefully the picture that comes before your mind’s eye.

The sun is rising above the horizon into a hazy sky.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

The sky clears and surrounds the sun with blueness.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

Clouds. A storm blows up, with flashes of lightning.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

A rainbow appears.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

Think of the front of a shop which you often go to. Consider the picture that comes before your mind’s eye.

The overall appearance of the shop from the opposite side of the road.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

A window display including colours, shapes and details of individual items for sale.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

You are near the entrance. The colour, shape and details of the door.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

You enter the shop and go to the counter. The counter assistant serves you. Money changes hands.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

Finally, think of a country scene which involves trees, mountains and a lake. Consider the picture that comes before your mind’s eye.

The contours of the landscape.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

The colour and shape of the trees.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

The colour and shape of the lake.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision

A strong wind blows on the trees and on the lake causing waves.

No image at all, you only “know” that you are thinking of the object

Vague and dim

Moderately clear and vivid

Clear and reasonably vivid

Perfectly clear and as vivid as normal vision