Pseudoperceptions are mental abnormalities in the form of images that are produced in the absence of specific stimuli that elicit them (hallucinoid images, hypnagogic images) are maintained even though the stimulus that provoked them is no longer present (parasitic, consecutive or mnemic images). In this Online Psychology article we are going to discover you what are pseudoperceptions with definition and examples so you better understand what it is about.
Consecutive images
One of the examples of pseudoperceptions are consecutive images. They are produced as consequence of a sensory stimulus immediately preceding, which is why they have also been called post-images. They are thus differentiated from eidetic images that last only a few seconds after stimulation and are therefore difficult to evoke voluntarily over time.
Furthermore, they have the opposite characteristics to those of the stimulation received previously, which is why they have been called negative images. They do not indicate the presence of pathological signs.
Hypnagogic Images
These images They occur in states of semi-consciousness, between wakefulness and sleep. Hypnagogic images are those that appear in the transition from dream to wakefulness; they are usually vivid and realistic, although their content lacks meaning for the subject.
They usually appear in the auditory and visual modality, they appear in both the normal and clinical population and are differentiated from hallucinations by the low reality value that the subject attributes to them and by the fluctuation of consciousness that they present.
Parasitic Images
They occur as a consequence of a stimulation that no longer exists, so they are autonomous and subjective in nature. When the subject does not focus his attention on them, they appear and disappear when he concentrates on the experience. An exception is obsessive images that, unlike those described, persist even if the subject focuses his attention on them. They usually appear in states of extreme tiredness or fatigue.
Hallucinoid Images
Are produced in the absence of a stimulus that triggers them, and the subject does not give them reality value. They can occur due to drug intoxication or in the black space of closed eyes.
Mnemic Images
They are images that appear with little vividness, and one type of these are eidetic images, exact representations of sensory impressions, from the visual or auditory modalities, that remain “fixed” in the subject’s mind. They can appear voluntarily or involuntarily.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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