[Imagination: its definition, purposes and neurobiology].

Imagination, distinct from imagery, memory, and cognition, is a poorly understood but fascinating cognitive ability of human beings. Herein, imagination is defined as 'the cognitive process which enables the individual to manipulate intrinsically generated phenomenal information in order to create a representation perceived by the mind's senses.' This definition is expanded within the context of the neurobiology of the brain and the possible purposes the imagination fulfills in daily living, human development, and normal behavior.