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Probing the unimaginable: The impact of aphantasia on distinct domains of visual mental imagery and visual perception

DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.06.003
Liu, J., & Bartolomeo, P. (2023). Probing the unimaginable: the impact of aphantasia on distinct domains of visual mental imagery and visual perception. Cortex, 166, 338–347. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2023.06.003

Abstract

In this study, 117 participants with varying levels of visual mental imagery were evaluated. 44 participants reported experiencing absent or nearly absent visual imagery, known as "aphantasia". These participants were compared to those with typical (N = 42) or unusually vivid (N = 31) imagery ability. The study used an online version of the French-language Battérie Imagination-Perception (eBIP), which consisted of tasks measuring accuracy and response time in five domains of visual imagery and perception, such as object shape, color, written words, faces, and spatial relationships. The results showed that aphantasic participants had similar accuracy to the other groups, but their response time was slower in both imagery and perception tasks, and they had lower confidence in their responses on perception tasks. The findings suggest that individuals with aphantasia experience a slower processing of visual information, but the precision remains unaffected. The observed performance pattern lends support to the hypotheses that congenital aphantasia is primarily a deficit of phenomenal consciousness, or that it employs alternative strategies other than visualization to access preserved visual information.

Authors

  • Jianghao Liu4
  • Paolo Bartolomeo4

Understanding Aphantasia: Insights from Recent Research

Overview/Introduction

A recent study has explored a fascinating condition known as aphantasia, where individuals experience little to no visual mental imagery. The research involved 117 participants with varying levels of imagery vividness, including 44 individuals with aphantasia. The aim was to understand how these differences affect visual mental imagery and perception across various domains such as object shape, color, written words, faces, and spatial relationships.

Methodology

The study employed an online tool called the French-language Battérie Imagination-Perception (eBIP). Participants completed tasks designed to measure accuracy and response time in both imagery and perception. The tasks covered five key domains: shapes, colors, words, faces, and spatial relationships. The researchers used advanced statistical methods, including Bayesian analyses, to ensure robust and reliable results.

Key Findings

  • Accuracy: Individuals with aphantasia performed with similar accuracy to those with typical or vivid imagery abilities across all tasks.
  • Response Time: Aphantasic participants were slower in both imagery and perception tasks compared to others.
  • Confidence: Those with aphantasia reported lower confidence in their responses during perception tasks.
  • The study found an inverse relationship between the vividness of imagery and response times, suggesting that more vivid imagery correlates with faster processing.

Implications

These findings suggest that while individuals with aphantasia process visual information more slowly, their accuracy is not compromised. This indicates that aphantasia may involve using alternative cognitive strategies rather than visualization. The research supports the theory that aphantasia could be linked to metacognitive deficits, where individuals are less aware of their cognitive processes, rather than a lack of access to visual information.

Limitations

  • Online Study Environment: Conducting the study online meant less control over participants' environments, which could affect results.
  • Self-Reported Data: The reliance on self-reported measures to identify aphantasia may introduce bias.
  • Semantic Knowledge: The study did not control for participants' familiarity with the items used in tasks, which could influence performance.
  • Potential Subtypes: There is a possibility that aphantasia is not a uniform condition but consists of various subtypes with different cognitive processes.

Conclusion

This study sheds light on how aphantasia affects visual mental imagery and perception. While individuals with aphantasia may take longer to process visual tasks, their ability to do so accurately remains intact. These insights pave the way for further research into the neural mechanisms behind aphantasia and potential individual variations within the condition. Understanding these could lead to better...