Aphantasia, the absence of the mind's eye, affects about 3% of the population and can impact their ability to form mental images and recall visual memories.
Individual differences in mental imagery can impact perspectives on cognition and philosophy, as seen in historical philosophical debates.
Deep dives
The Phenomenon of Aphantasia
Aphantasia, the absence of the mind's eye, affects about 3% of the population. People with aphantasia cannot visualize images in their mind's eye, which impacts their ability to form mental images and recall visual memories. They often rely on other sensory modalities to remember or recognize objects or people. While they may lack visual imagery, they can still engage in spatial reasoning and exhibit creativity in non-visual domains. The neural basis of aphantasia is still being studied, but there are differences in brain connectivity between individuals with vivid visual imagery and those with aphantasia. Interestingly, people with aphantasia can still dream in pictures, indicating that dreaming and wakeful visualization may operate differently in the brain.
Variations in Visual Imagery
Visual imagery abilities can vary among individuals. Some people are hyper-visualizers, experiencing visual images as vividly as real life. Others fall into the typical range, while around 3-4% of the population have aphantasia, completely lacking the ability to visualize images. There's also an association between aphantasia and impaired face recognition. However, aphantasia does not necessarily limit creativity, as individuals can rely on other cognitive processes, such as spatial reasoning and imagination. It is important to note that visual imagery is only one aspect of human cognition, and people with aphantasia can excel in other domains.
Historical Influence and Philosophy
The phenomenon of aphantasia may have influenced historical philosophical debates on the nature of thought. Some philosophers, like David Hume, presented theories emphasizing mental imagery as a basis for thought, while others, known as behaviorists, focused on external behavior without consideration of inner mental images. This divergence of views might have been shaped by the experiences of philosophers with varying imagery abilities. This suggests that individual differences in mental imagery can impact perspectives on cognition and philosophy.
Quantifying Visual Imagery
Studies have explored ways to quantify visual imagery abilities. An online questionnaire called the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire has been used to assess individuals' visual imagery vividness. Results show a spectrum ranging from individuals with dim or no visual imagery to those with highly vivid visual images, similar to real-life perception. It is worth noting that imagery is a complex cognitive function that involves various brain processes, including language, memory, and cognitive control.
Close your eyes and think of a giraffe. Can you see it? I mean, *really* see it - in rich, vivid detail? If not - you aren’t alone!
We’ve had scores of messages from listeners who report having a ‘blind mind’s eye’. They don’t see mental images at all and they want to know why. Jude from Perth wants to know what makes her brain different, and Diane from Scotland wonders whether it affectes her ability to remember family holidays.
Our sleuths learn that this is a condition recently termed ‘aphantasia’. They meet the chap who came up with the name, Professor Adam Zeman, a neurologist from the University of Exeter, and quiz him on the brain mechanisms behind this mystery.
Professor Julia Simner - a psychologist who, herself, doesn’t see mental images - shares the surprising research into how aphants differ slightly from others in a range of cognitive skills. We also hear about the world class artists and animators who can’t visualise - but can create beautiful, imaginary worlds.
Philosophy professor Fiona Macpherson from the University of Glasgow, deepens the mystery: perhaps this largely hidden phenomenon is behind some of the most profound disagreements in the history of psychology. Our mental experiences are all very different - maybe that’s why thinkers have come up with such different theories about how our minds work.
Search for the “VVIQ” or Vividness of Visual Imagery questionnaire to take the test yourself. Look for “The Perception Census” to take part in this massive online study of perceptual variation. And look up the 'Aphtantasia Network' if you're curious to find out more.
Presenters: Hannah Fry and Adam Rutherford
Contributors: Professor Adam Zeman, Professor Julia Simner, Professor Fiona Macpherson
Producer: Ilan Goodman
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