Which theory focuses on the role of spatial arrangement in mental imagery?

The theory that focuses on the role of spatial arrangement in mental imagery is Kosslyn's spatial view. This theory posits that mental images are not just abstract propositions or descriptions, but rather they have a spatial structure similar to the actual visual experiences we have. According to Kosslyn, when we create mental images, we utilize a visualization process that reflects the spatial characteristics of the object or scene being imagined.

Kosslyn's research involved studies demonstrating that people could manipulate these images much like physical objects, suggesting that our mental representations are closely tied to the spatial relationships that exist within the actual visual stimuli. This is evidenced in experiments where participants were asked to mentally rotate images or navigate through them, indicating preparation similar to physical movement in space.

In contrast to Kosslyn's spatial view, other theories might emphasize different aspects of mental imagery, such as abstract concepts or visual perception alone, which do not adequately account for the spatial relationships emphasized by Kosslyn. Thus, Kosslyn’s approach distinctly highlights the importance of spatial arrangement in understanding mental imagery, making it the correct answer in this context.