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Quantifying aphantasia through drawing: Those without visual imagery show deficits in object but not spatial memory

DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.11.014
Bainbridge, W. A., Pounder, Z., Eardley, A. F., & Baker, C. I. (2021). Quantifying aphantasia through drawing: those without visual imagery show deficits in object but not spatial memory. Cortex, 135, 159–172. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2020.11.014

Abstract

Congenital aphantasia is a recently characterized variation of experience defined by the inability to form voluntary visual imagery, in individuals who are otherwise high performing. Because of this specific deficit to visual imagery, individuals with aphantasia serve as an ideal group for probing the nature of representations in visual memory, particularly the interplay of object, spatial, and symbolic information. Here, we conducted a large-scale online study of aphantasia and revealed a dissociation in object and spatial content in their memory representations. Sixty-one individuals with aphantasia and matched controls with typical imagery studied real-world scene images, and were asked to draw them from memory, and then later copy them during a matched perceptual condition. Drawings were objectively quantified by 2,795 online scorers for object and spatial details. Aphantasic participants recalled significantly fewer objects than controls, with less color in their drawings, and an increased reliance on verbal scaffolding. However, aphantasic participants showed high spatial accuracy equivalent to controls, and made significantly fewer memory errors. These differences between groups only manifested during recall, with no differences between groups during the matched perceptual condition. This object-specific memory impairment in individuals with aphantasia provides evidence for separate systems in memory that support object versus spatial information. The study also provides an important experimental validation for the existence of aphantasia as a variation in human imagery experience.

Authors

  • Wilma A. Bainbridge3
  • Zoë Pounder5
  • Alison F. Eardley3
  • Chris I. Baker1

Understanding Aphantasia: Insights from a Drawing Study

Overview/Introduction

Aphantasia is a unique condition where individuals cannot form mental images, despite having normal vision and memory. This study explores how people with aphantasia recall visual scenes compared to those with typical mental imagery. By examining their ability to draw from memory, researchers aim to understand how aphantasia affects visual memory and the distinction between object and spatial memory.

Methodology

The study involved 61 participants with aphantasia and 52 control participants with typical imagery abilities. Participants were shown real-world scenes and asked to draw them from memory. Later, they copied the scenes while viewing them to assess their perceptual abilities. The drawings were evaluated by nearly 2,800 online scorers who assessed the number of objects, spatial accuracy, and any errors in the drawings.

Key Findings

  • Object Memory Impairment: Individuals with aphantasia recalled significantly fewer objects and less detail in their drawings compared to controls. Their drawings contained less color and they spent less time on each object.
  • High Spatial Accuracy: Despite difficulties with object memory, aphantasic participants demonstrated spatial accuracy similar to controls, positioning objects correctly in their drawings.
  • Fewer Memory Errors: Aphantasic participants made fewer errors, such as falsely recalling objects that were not present in the original scenes.
  • Reliance on Verbal Strategies: Aphantasic individuals often used text labels in their drawings, suggesting they rely more on verbal descriptions than visual imagery.

Implications

These findings suggest that visual memory consists of separate systems for object and spatial information. Aphantasia primarily affects object memory, while spatial memory remains intact. This distinction could have implications for understanding different types of memory and cognitive processing. Additionally, the study highlights the potential for using alternative strategies, such as verbal descriptions, to compensate for the lack of visual imagery.

Limitations

While the study provides valuable insights, it relies on self-reported measures to identify aphantasia, which may not capture all nuances of the condition. Additionally, the study's online format may introduce variability in participants' drawing abilities due to differences in computer interfaces.
In conclusion, this research enhances our understanding of aphantasia and its impact on visual memory. By revealing how aphantasic individuals process and recall visual information, the study contributes to broader discussions on memory, perception, and cognitive diversity.