Back to all research

Lives without imagery – Congenital aphantasia

DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2015.05.019
Zeman, A., Dewar, M., & Della Sala, S. (2015). Lives without imagery – congenital aphantasia. Cortex, 73, 378–380. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2015.05.019

Abstract

Visual imagery is, for most of us, a conspicuous ingredient of everyday experience, playing a prominent role in memory, daydreaming and creativity. Galton, who pioneered the quantitative study of visual imagery with his famous ‘breakfast-table survey’, reported a wide variation in its subjective vividness (Galton, 1880). Indeed, some participants described ‘no power of visualising’. This phenomenon has received little attention since, though Faw reported that 2.1–2.7% of 2,500 participants ‘claim no visual imagination’ (Faw, 2009). The experience of voluntary imagery is associated with activity in fronto-parietal ‘executive’ systems and in posterior brain regions which together enable us to generate images on the basis of our stored knowledge of appearances (Bartolomeo, 2008). The relative contributions of lower and higher order visual regions to the experience of visual imagery are debated (Bartolomeo, 2008). Clinical reports suggest the existence of two major types of neurogenic visual imagery impairment: i) visual memory disorders, causing both visual agnosia and imagery loss, and ii) ‘imagery generation’ deficits selectively disabling imagery (Farah, 1984). In 2010 we reported a particularly ‘pure’ case of imagery generation disorder, in a 65 year old man who became unable to summon images to the mind's eye after coronary angioplasty (Zeman et al., 2010). Following a popular description of our paper (Zimmer, 2010), we were contacted by over twenty individuals who recognised themselves in the article's account of ‘blind imagination’, with the important difference that their imagery impairment had been lifelong. Here we describe the features of their condition, elicited by a questionnaire, and suggest a name – aphantasia – for this poorly recognised phenomenon.

Authors

  • Adam Zeman14
  • Michaela Dewar3
  • Sergio Della Sala4

Understanding Aphantasia: A World Without Visual Imagery

Overview/Introduction

Have you ever tried to picture a loved one's face or imagine a beautiful sunset in your mind? For most people, these mental images are vivid and clear. However, some individuals experience a condition known as aphantasia, where they are unable to form mental images. This fascinating phenomenon, which affects about 2% of the population, has been largely overlooked in scientific research until recently.

Methodology

Researchers explored aphantasia by engaging with 21 individuals who reported lifelong difficulties with visual imagery. These participants were identified after a previous study on a similar condition gained public attention. To understand their experiences, the researchers used a specially designed questionnaire alongside the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ), a tool that measures the clarity of mental images.

Key Findings

  • Lack of Voluntary Imagery: Participants with aphantasia scored significantly lower on the VVIQ compared to a control group, indicating a substantial or complete lack of voluntary visual imagery.
  • Involuntary Imagery: Despite their challenges with voluntary imagery, many participants reported experiencing involuntary imagery, such as brief flashes during wakefulness or vivid dreams.
  • Impact on Memory and Skills: Aphantasia was linked to difficulties in recalling autobiographical memories. However, some participants identified strengths in verbal, mathematical, and logical thinking.
  • Family and Demographics: The majority of participants were male, and some reported family members with similar experiences, suggesting a possible genetic component.

Implications

Understanding aphantasia opens up new avenues for exploring how the brain processes imagery and memory. It challenges the assumption that visual imagery is essential for creativity and memory, highlighting alternative cognitive strategies. This research could lead to better support for individuals with aphantasia in educational and professional settings, emphasizing their unique strengths.

Limitations

The study's participants were self-selected, which may introduce bias, such as the male predominance observed. Further research with a more diverse and representative sample is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential genetic and neurological underpinnings of aphantasia.
In summary, aphantasia is a unique condition that alters how individuals experience and interact with the world. By shedding light on this phenomenon, researchers hope to deepen our understanding of the human mind and its remarkable diversity.