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Visual imagery vividness declines across the lifespan

DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.06.011
Gulyás, E., Gombos, F., Sütöri, S., Lovas, A., Ziman, G., & Kovács, I. (2022). Visual imagery vividness declines across the lifespan. Cortex, 154, 365–374. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2022.06.011

Abstract

The capacity to elicit vivid visual mental images varies within an extensive range across individuals between hyper- and aphantasia. It is not clear, however, whether imagery vividness is constant across the lifespan or changes during development and later in life. Without enforcing the constraints of strict experimental procedures and representativity across the entire population, our purpose was to explore the self-reported level of imagery vividness and determine the relative proportions of aphantasic/hyperphantasic participants in different age groups. Relying on the frequently used Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, we collected data on a random sample of 2252 participants between the ages of 12–60 years. We found a novel developmental pattern that describes a declining ability to elicit vivid visual mental images in the group averages of different age groups from adolescence to middle age. This effect involves both a decreasing proportion of individuals with vivid visual imagery vividness and an increasing proportion of individuals with low imagery vividness as maturation (based on bone age assessments in adolescents) and ageing progress. These findings may shed some light on the developmental mechanisms of our internal, stimulus-independent processes, and might also help to determine genetic, maturational, and age-dependent factors in the cases of hyper- and aphantasia.

Authors

  • Erzsébet Gulyás1
  • Ferenc Gombos1
  • Sára Sütöri1
  • Andrea Lovas1
  • Gergő Ziman1
  • Ilona Kovács1

Overview/Introduction

Visual mental imagery, or the ability to create vivid images in our minds, varies greatly among individuals. Some people can visualize images with great clarity, known as hyperphantasia, while others struggle to form any mental images at all, a condition known as aphantasia. This study explores how the vividness of visual imagery changes throughout a person's life, from adolescence to middle age. By understanding these changes, researchers hope to uncover the developmental and genetic factors that influence our mental imagery capabilities.

Methodology

To investigate this, researchers used the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ), a widely used tool to assess visual imagery vividness. They collected data from 2,252 participants aged 12 to 60 years. Participants were divided into five age groups: 12-16, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, and 51-60 years. The study involved asking participants to visualize common objects and rate the clarity of these images. The researchers then analyzed the data to identify patterns in imagery vividness across different ages.

Key Findings

  • Decline in Imagery Vividness: The study found that the ability to create vivid mental images declines with age. This decline is more pronounced from adolescence to middle age.
  • Age-Related Patterns: Adolescents (12-16 years) reported higher imagery vividness, with 17.5% experiencing hyperphantasia. This percentage dropped significantly in older age groups, with only 7.76% of those aged 51-60 experiencing hyperphantasia.
  • Increase in Aphantasia: No adolescents reported aphantasia, but the prevalence increased with age, reaching 20.09% in the 51-60 age group.
  • Gender Differences: Females generally reported higher imagery vividness than males, although the decline with age was more rapid in males.

Implications

These findings suggest that visual imagery vividness is not static but changes with age. Understanding these changes can help researchers develop age-specific standards for studying conditions like aphantasia and hyperphantasia. Additionally, this research could lead to a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying visual imagery, potentially revealing new insights into cognitive development and aging.

Limitations

One limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reported data, which can be subject to biases. The VVIQ may not be suitable for younger children, limiting the study's applicability to this age group. Future research should aim to develop more objective measures of imagery vividness to confirm these findings.
In conclusion, this study highlights a significant decline in the ability to form vivid mental images as people age, with important implications for understanding the development and aging of cognitive processes.