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Aphantasia and involuntary imagery

DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2024.103679
Krempel, R., & Monzel, M. (2024). Aphantasia and involuntary imagery. Consciousness and Cognition, 120, 103679. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2024.103679

Abstract

Aphantasia is a condition that is often characterized as the impaired ability to create voluntary mental images. Aphantasia is assumed to selectively affect voluntary imagery mainly because even though aphantasics report being unable to visualize something at will, many report having visual dreams. We argue that this common characterization of aphantasia is incorrect. Studies on aphantasia are often not clear about whether they are assessing voluntary or involuntary imagery, but some studies show that several forms of involuntary imagery are also affected in aphantasia (including imagery in dreams). We also raise problems for two attempts to show that involuntary images are preserved in aphantasia. In addition, we report the results of a study about afterimages in aphantasia, which suggest that these tend to be less intense in aphantasics than in controls. Involuntary imagery is often treated as a unitary kind that is either present or absent in aphantasia. We suggest that this approach is mistaken and that we should look at different types of involuntary imagery case by case. Doing so reveals no evidence of preserved involuntary imagery in aphantasia. We suggest that a broader characterization of aphantasia, as a deficit in forming mental imagery, whether voluntary or not, is more appropriate. Characterizing aphantasia as a volitional deficit is likely to lead researchers to give incorrect explanations for aphantasia, and to look for the wrong mechanisms underlying it.

Authors

  • Raquel Krempel3
  • Merlin Monzel23

Understanding Aphantasia: Beyond Voluntary Imagery

Overview/Introduction

Aphantasia is a unique condition where individuals struggle to create mental images voluntarily. Traditionally, it has been thought that aphantasia only affects voluntary imagery, as many people with the condition report having visual dreams, which are involuntary. However, new research challenges this view, suggesting that aphantasia might also impact involuntary imagery, including dreams and other spontaneous visual experiences.

Methodology

The researchers conducted a series of studies to explore both voluntary and involuntary imagery in individuals with aphantasia. They analyzed previous studies and conducted new experiments, including one that assessed afterimages—a type of involuntary imagery. Participants were shown images and then asked to rate the intensity of the afterimages they experienced. The study used a mix of self-reports and objective measures to compare the experiences of those with aphantasia to those without.

Key Findings

  • Involuntary Imagery Affected: Contrary to popular belief, the study found that aphantasia affects not just voluntary imagery but also several forms of involuntary imagery. This includes imagery triggered by reading, pseudo-hallucinations, and even dreams.
  • Afterimage Intensity: A new study on afterimages revealed that individuals with aphantasia experience less intense afterimages compared to those without the condition. This suggests that involuntary imagery related to perception is also impaired.
  • Dreams and Aphantasia: While many with aphantasia report having visual dreams, the study found that these dreams might lack the vividness and complexity experienced by those without aphantasia.

Implications

  • Broader Understanding: The findings suggest that aphantasia should be viewed as a broader deficit in forming mental imagery, not just a volitional one. This could lead to a better understanding of the condition and its underlying mechanisms.
  • Research Directions: By acknowledging that involuntary imagery is also affected, future research can explore new areas and develop more comprehensive theories about how aphantasia works.
  • Practical Applications: Understanding the full scope of aphantasia can help in developing better diagnostic tools and potentially lead to interventions that could assist those affected by the condition.

Limitations

  • Diverse Forms of Imagery: The study acknowledges that involuntary imagery is not a single, unified category. Different types of involuntary imagery may be affected to varying degrees, and more research is needed to explore these nuances.
  • Sample Size and Diversity: As with many studies, the sample size and diversity could impact the generalizability of the findings. Further studies with larger and more diverse groups are necessary to confirm these results.
In conclusion, this research challenges the traditional view of aphantasia as solel...