I was wondering sens the only people i met with aphantasia has had super hig iq and are able to process incredible amounts of information. It has not been the speed but the shere amount of information that has got me stunned. My thinking was that the aphantasia maybe was something casual being able tro draw knowledge from many sources sense the mental “stored data” is smaller. Thought about this?
Hi Antony, there is a study that is still under review which found a minor, yet statistically-significant, elevation in IQ amongst aphantasics compared to the hyperphantasics. However, there was no statistically-significant differences between the mid-level imagers and the hyperphantasics or the aphantasics. Also, the group sizes were each less than 30 and, being an explorative study, they didn’t conduct highly-rigorous corrections which would have eliminated the mentioned statistically significant difference.
I think there very well may be something here though. The thing is, IQ isn’t a highly insightful metric. There are so fascinating variations of intelligence, memory, and techniques. I personally resonate with being able to store a lot of data but at a slower speed than many. But I’ve found that it is in conversation with others that I do much of my best thinking. The dance back and forth often compliments my lesser speed and helps illuminate my blind spots.
Speaking only for myself, I will admit that I was given an IQ test in school and the result was outlandishly high. I am very intelligent in a certain way that tests easily.
I also have an unusual memory. I remember almost everything I read or hear. My aphantasia is not auditory because I can play back audio. I 3 years of law school I took 12 pages of notes because to learn I had to listen to the prof and think about it.
My thinking is all verbal. A nonstop narrative in my head. But I do sometimes dream in images. Hate kissing it when I wake up.
I may be an extreme case because my memory for words has allowed me to do without images.
I suggest that people be careful with discussions of aphantasia and intelligence. Makes sense that people with aphantasia would be verbally oriented and that is how we tend to measure intelligence. Might be different not smarter.
