AphantasiaResearch

Why indecisive trials matter: Improving the binocular rivalry imagery priming score for the assessment of aphantasia

A new method for measuring mental imagery strength has been developed, improving on an existing binocular rivalry task. This enhanced approach better predicts individuals' self-reported imagery capacity, especially for those with aphantasia, a condition where people struggle to visualize images. The new scoring system is more reliable and effective for future research.

Absence of shared representation in the visual cortex challenges unconscious imagery in aphantasia

Aphantasia is defined as the absence (or near-absence) of imagery experience, most commonly in but not necessarily limited to the visual modality. While the neural and cognitive underpinnings of aphantasia remain hotly debated (see Zeman1 for a recent review), a proposal that has recently gained attention is that people with aphantasia may have unconscious mental imagery2, meaning that despite lacking the experience associated with imagery, they may still possess the relevant neural activity. A recent article in Current Biology by Chang et al.3 reported finding ‘imageless imagery’ in aphantasic subjects, thus seemingly supporting this view. However, we argue here that the representations found in aphantasic subjects by Chang et al.3, as well as in other studies (e.g., by Liu et al.4,5), should not be viewed as unconscious imagery because they fail to show the perception-like pattern usually associated with mental imagery.

Beyond words: Examining the role of mental imagery for the Stroop effect by contrasting aphantasics and controls

The Stroop effect, where conflicting color words disrupt cognitive processing, was tested in individuals with aphantasia—who struggle with mental imagery. Results showed a reduced Stroop effect in aphantasics, suggesting that mental imagery interferes with perception. This finding may impact how Stroop tasks are used in psychological assessments.

The Phenomenology of Offline Perception: Multisensory Profiles of Voluntary Mental Imagery and Dream Imagery

Dreams and voluntary mental imagery share similarities as "offline perceptions," but differ in vividness across senses. Dream imagery is more emotional and visual, while voluntary imagery is stronger in other senses. Dream recall and lucid dreaming can make these experiences more alike, highlighting the role of metacognition.

Stage 2 Registered Report: Propositional Thought Is Sufficient for Imaginal Extinction as Shown by Contrasting Participants With Aphantasia, Simulated Aphantasia, and Controls

Imaginal exposure can effectively reduce anxiety and panic disorders even without visual mental imagery. Research shows that thinking about fear stimuli, known as propositional thought, is enough for successful therapy. People with aphantasia, who lack mental imagery, experience less fear, possibly due to a disconnect between physical and emotio...

Definition: Aphantasia

Affective processing in aphantasia and potential overlaps with alexithymia: Mental imagery facilitates the recognition of emotions in oneself and others

People with aphantasia have reduced emotional responses to verbal scenarios but can still recognize emotions in others' faces, albeit more slowly. They may use different strategies that don't rely on mental imagery, showing that aphantasia affects emotional intensity and speed but not understanding or recognition.

Hippocampal-occipital connectivity reflects autobiographical memory deficits in aphantasia

Aphantasia affects memory recall by reducing visual imagery, leading to difficulties in recalling vivid, detailed personal memories. Aphantasics show less hippocampal activity and more visual cortex activation during memory retrieval compared to others, highlighting the importance of visual imagery in forming rich autobiographical memories.

Neuronal activation patterns during self-referential pain imagination

Imagining oneself in pain activates brain areas linked to pain processing. Pain sensitivity and locus of control influence how painful situations are perceived, but don't predict brain activity changes. Further research is needed to explore the overlap between imagination and perception in pain.

Aphantasia and involuntary imagery

Aphantasia affects both voluntary and involuntary mental imagery, challenging the view that it only impacts voluntary visualization. Studies show that various involuntary images, like those in dreams or triggered by reading, are also impaired. This broader understanding suggests aphantasia is a general imagery deficit, not just a volitional one.

No verbal overshadowing in aphantasia: The role of visual imagery for the verbal overshadowing effect

The study found that people with aphantasia, who lack mental imagery, do not experience the "verbal overshadowing effect," where describing a past event hinders recognition. Unlike controls, aphantasic participants showed improved recognition after verbalization, suggesting their unique cognitive processing may prevent interference from verbal descriptions.

The role of dopamine in visual imagery—An experimental pharmacological study

Mental imagery lets us imagine experiences without real stimuli. This study explores how dopamine affects this process. By reducing dopamine in participants, researchers aim to understand its role in mental imagery and conditions like aphantasia, potentially leading to new ways to enhance or restore mental imagery.

Where’s Wanda? The influence of visual imagery vividness on visual search speed measured by means of hidden object pictures

People with aphantasia, who lack voluntary mental imagery, are slower at finding hidden objects compared to those with vivid visual imagery. This suggests that visual imagery plays a significant role in how we perceive and interact with our surroundings.

Aphantasia within the framework of neurodivergence: Some preliminary data and the curse of the confidence gap

Neurodiversity highlights the diverse ways people think and learn, challenging the idea of a "correct" way. Aphantasia, affecting 3.9% of people, is where individuals can't visualize images mentally. The paper argues it's not a disorder but a neutral form of neurodivergence, aligning with the broader understanding of neurodiversity.

No increased prevalence of prosopagnosia in aphantasia: Visual recognition deficits are small and not restricted to faces

Aphantasia is linked to mild visual recognition deficits, not just face recognition issues. A study found aphantasics performed worse in both face and object recognition tasks compared to controls, suggesting a general visual recognition impairment influenced by imagery vividness and stimulus complexity.

Measuring imagery strength in schizophrenia: no evidence of enhanced mental imagery priming

The study found no evidence that people with schizophrenia have more vivid visual imagery than those without. While those with schizophrenia experienced more hallucinations, visual imagery did not enhance these experiences, except for religious-themed hallucinations. Further research is needed to explore different sensory modalities in schizophr...

Imaginal extinction without imagery: Dissociating the effects of visual imagery and propositional thought by contrasting participants with aphantasia, simulated aphantasia, and controls

Imaginal exposure in therapy can help treat anxiety by using mental imagery to mimic real events. However, thinking about fear stimuli without vivid imagery might be enough and is less distressing. This study explores if mental imagery or just propositional thought is key to effective therapy, focusing on people with aphantasia.

No general pathological significance of aphantasia: An evaluation based on criteria for mental disorders

Aphantasia, the inability to visualize images, affects 3.5-4.8% of people. While it is rare, it doesn't qualify as a mental disorder due to minimal impact on daily life. However, 34.7% of those with aphantasia experience significant distress linked to anxiety and depression, suggesting a need for individual psychological assessment.

Is it really empathy? The potentially confounding role of mental imagery in self-reports of empathy

Empathy, or the ability to understand others' feelings, is linked to mental imagery. Research shows that people who can vividly imagine scenarios tend to report higher empathy when using verbal descriptions. However, this connection weakens when visual images are involved, particularly for those with aphantasia, who lack mental imagery.

Proposal for a consistent definition of aphantasia and hyperphantasia: A response to Lambert and Sibley (2022) and Simner and Dance (2022)