Structural descriptions and the limitations of visual images*.

Two experiments are reported that require Ss to judge whether or not the second of two sequentially presented patterns is a part of the first pattern. The results suggest that Ss code the pattern as a structural description and find it difficult to recognize a part of the pattern which does not match the description. It is proposed that a structural description is a combination of visual and verbal codes and that visual images lack detail when not supported by verbal concepts.