Originally published in 1983, the 14 chapters in this volume are based upon presentations made to a conference held at the University of Western Ontario in June, 1981. The primary purpose of that conference was to mark the 10th anniversary of the publication of Allan Paivio's text, Imagery and Verbal Processes, and to acknowledge the continuing contribution that Paivio was making to imagery research and theory at the time.

His landmark book had been the major publication in the field of imagery, and during the decade prior to this volume Paivio's theorizing and research dominated the investigation of imaginal processes. It was felt the most appropriate way to honor his achievements and activities, was to hold a conference on current developments in imagery research and theory at the time.