Intelligence and Mental Imagery in ID

After a presentation of the main model for conceptualizing and measuring intelligence, the importance of Mental Imagery in determining the cognitive performances in Intellectual Disability (ID) is underlined. The study aims at investigating if mental imagery can moderate the effect of cognitive components (i.e., Factor IQ) on the degree of mental deterioration in adults diagnosed with ID. The WAIS-IV, MoCA, and MIT (Mental Imagery Test) were administered in a sample composed of 40 subjects, age range 16-64 years, diagnosed with Mild or Moderate ID. The results show that the WAIS-IV, MoCA, and MIT scores are significantly correlated. Imagery improves the effect of Verbal Comprehension, Visual Perceptual Reasoning and Working Memory factors in predicting the MoCA results. A discussion about the use of mental imagery for planning rehabilitative interventions in persons with ID is presented.