Cognitive Structure of Origami Imagery.

This article investigates the cognitive mechanisms underlying origami imagery, defined as the mental simulation of folding paper, to clarify how origami practice enhances spatial abilities. Through factor analysis of a newly developed origami imagery scale administered to university students, four cognitive factors were identified: hand sensation imagery, controllability of origami transformations, visual imagery of shape, and visual imagery of color. The study found that non-rigid mental transformation abilities—those involving shape changes without altering orientation—were significantly associated with controllability of origami transformations and visual imagery of shape, while vividness of visual imagery correlated with all four cognitive factors. The authors propose a cognitive model in which a “monitor of experiences” (combining controllability and visual imagery) supports paper transformation processes, distinct from kinesthetic hand sensation imagery, highlighting the visual and motor components involved in internal origami simulation.