AphantasiaResearch
Explore a comprehensive collection of academic papers, research studies, and scientific publications about aphantasia, imagery, and cognitive neuroscience.
Definition: Aphantasia
Zeman, A., Monzel, M., Pearson, J., Scholz, C. O., & Simner, J. (2025). Definition: aphantasia. Cortex, 182, 212–213. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2024.07.019
Aphantasia and hyperphantasia: exploring imagery vividness extremes
Aphantasia is a condition where people lack mental imagery, while hyperphantasia involves extremely vivid imagery. Around 1% and 3% of people experience these extremes, respectively. Aphantasia often affects memory and face recognition, may run in families, and is linked to autism. Dream imagery is usually unaffected.
Zeman, A. (2024). Aphantasia and hyperphantasia: exploring imagery vividness extremes. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 28(5), 467–480. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2024.02.007
Plural Imagination: Diversity in Mind and Making
Artists with aphantasia (no mental imagery) and hyperphantasia (vivid imagery) show diverse creative processes, challenging traditional art-making models. This highlights the need to recognize individual differences in creativity, moving away from universal stereotypes of artistic imagination.
MacKisack, M., Aldworth, S., Macpherson, F., Onians, J., Winlove, C., & Zeman, A. (2022). Plural imagination: diversity in mind and making. Art Journal, 81(3), 70–87. doi:10.1080/00043249.2022.2110444
Proposal for a consistent definition of aphantasia and hyperphantasia: A response to Lambert and Sibley (2022) and Simner and Dance (2022)
Monzel, M., Mitchell, D., Macpherson, F., Pearson, J., & Zeman, A. (2022). Proposal for a consistent definition of aphantasia and hyperphantasia: a response to lambert and sibley (2022) and simner and dance (2022). Cortex, 152, 74–76. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2022.04.003
Aphantasia, dysikonesia, anauralia: call for a single term for the lack of mental imagery–Commentary on Dance et al. (2021) and Hinwar and Lambert (2021)
Advocating for the consistent use of 'aphantasia' to describe the absence of mental imagery, as it's already widely recognized and avoids confusion from emerging terms like 'dysikonesia' or 'anauralia'. This approach simplifies communication and understanding in both scientific and public contexts.
Monzel, M., Mitchell, D., Macpherson, F., Pearson, J., & Zeman, A. (2022). Aphantasia, dysikonesia, anauralia: call for a single term for the lack of mental imagery–commentary on dance et al. (2021) and hinwar and lambert (2021). Cortex, 150, 149–152. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2022.02.002
Aphantasia: The science of visual imagery extremes
Visual imagery varies widely among individuals, from aphantasia (no imagery) to hyperphantasia (vivid imagery). These differences impact memory and perception, with aphantasia linked to prosopagnosia and hyperphantasia to synesthesia. Despite lacking visual imagery, aphantasics can still be highly imaginative.
Keogh, R., Pearson, J., & Zeman, A. (n.d.). Aphantasia: the science of visual imagery extremes. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 277–296. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-821377-3.00012-X
Behavioral and Neural Signatures of Visual Imagery Vividness Extremes: Aphantasia versus Hyperphantasia
Aphantasia and hyperphantasia describe the extremes of visual imagery vividness. Aphantasia is linked to challenges in face recognition and memory, while hyperphantasia shows enhanced imagination and openness. Brain scans reveal distinct connectivity patterns, highlighting the neural basis of these imagery differences.
Milton, F., Fulford, J., Dance, C., Gaddum, J., Heuerman-Williamson, B., Jones, K., Knight, K. F., MacKisack, M., Winlove, C., & Zeman, A. (2021). Behavioral and neural signatures of visual imagery vividness extremes: aphantasia versus hyperphantasia. Cerebral Cortex Communications, 2(2). doi:10.1093/texcom/tgab035
What is the relationship between Aphantasia, Synaesthesia and Autism?
Aphantasia, a lack of visual imagery, can coexist with synaesthesia, affecting its type. People with aphantasia also report more autistic traits, like weak imagination and social skills, suggesting a link between aphantasia, synaesthesia, and autism. Further research is needed to understand these connections.
Dance, C., Jaquiery, M., Eagleman, D., Porteous, D., Zeman, A., & Simner, J. (2021). What is the relationship between aphantasia, synaesthesia and autism?. Consciousness and Cognition, 89, 103087. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2021.103087
Phantasia–The psychological significance of lifelong visual imagery vividness extremes
Aphantasia is linked to scientific fields and difficulties with face recognition, while hyperphantasia is associated with creative fields and synaesthesia. Aphantasia may run in families, and while many with it lack wakeful imagery, most still dream visually. These findings highlight overlooked aspects of human experience and their psychological...
Zeman, A., Milton, F., Della Sala, S., Dewar, M., Frayling, T., Gaddum, J., Hattersley, A., Heuerman-Williamson, B., Jones, K., MacKisack, M., & Winlove, C. (2020). Phantasia–the psychological significance of lifelong visual imagery vividness extremes. Cortex, 130, 426–440. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2020.04.003
The neural correlates of visual imagery vividness – An fMRI study and literature review
High and low visual imagers show different brain activity patterns when imagining famous faces and buildings. High imagers activate specific brain areas, while low imagers use more widespread regions. Vividness correlates positively with certain posterior brain regions and negatively with frontal areas.
Fulford, J., Milton, F., Salas, D., Smith, A., Simler, A., Winlove, C., & Zeman, A. (2018). The neural correlates of visual imagery vividness – an fmri study and literature review. Cortex, 105, 26–40. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2017.09.014
On Picturing a Candle: The Prehistory of Imagery Science
Over 25 years, neuroscience has advanced in understanding how the brain visualizes objects. This research, often separate from philosophical insights on imagination, can benefit from historical perspectives, which both support and challenge scientific methods. By bridging these views, we can better resolve debates about the nature of mental imag...
MacKisack, M., Aldworth, S., Macpherson, F., Onians, J., Winlove, C., & Zeman, A. (2016). On picturing a candle: the prehistory of imagery science. Frontiers in Psychology, 7. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00515
Reflections on aphantasia
Aphantasia is a condition where individuals can't create mental images, though they may see images in dreams. Many discover this in their teens or twenties. It might affect memory and face recognition. The cause is debated, with some suggesting brain differences. Aphantasia is more common than previously thought.
Zeman, A., Dewar, M., & Della Sala, S. (2016). Reflections on aphantasia. Cortex, 74, 336–337. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2015.08.015
Refusing to imagine? On the possibility of psychogenic aphantasia. A commentary on Zeman et al. (2015)
Aphantasia, the inability to create mental images, might sometimes be linked to psychological factors like stress or depression, not just brain damage. Some people may "refuse to imagine" due to emotional distress, suggesting a need for both neurological and mental health evaluations for those affected.
de Vito, S., & Bartolomeo, P. (2016). Refusing to imagine? on the possibility of psychogenic aphantasia. a commentary on zeman et al. (2015). Cortex, 74, 334–335. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2015.06.013
Lives without imagery – Congenital aphantasia
Aphantasia is a condition where individuals cannot visualize images in their mind's eye. Affecting about 2% of people, it can impact memory and creativity. Despite this, many with aphantasia can still experience involuntary imagery, like dreams. The condition may be linked to other cognitive traits and warrants further study.
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
Loss of imagery phenomenology with intact visuo-spatial task performance: A case of ‘blind imagination’
A patient, MX, lost the ability to create visual images but still performed normally on visual tasks. Brain scans showed MX used different brain areas than usual, suggesting he used alternative strategies to succeed in these tasks without visual imagery. This highlights a separation between experiencing imagery and performing imagery tasks.
Zeman, A. Z., Della Sala, S., Torrens, L. A., Gountouna, V.-E., McGonigle, D. J., & Logie, R. H. (2010). Loss of imagery phenomenology with intact visuo-spatial task performance: a case of ‘blind imagination’. Neuropsychologia, 48(1), 145–155. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.08.024
You've reached the end of the references.