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The vividness of visualisations and autistic trait expression are not strongly associated

DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2025.103821
Bouyer, L. N., Pellicano, E., Saurels, B. W., Schwarzkopf, D. S., & Arnold, D. H. (2025). The vividness of visualisations and autistic trait expression are not strongly associated. Consciousness and Cognition, 129, 103821. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2025.103821

Abstract

A minority of people (Aphantasics) report an inability to visualise. Aphantasia has been linked to Autism - a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interactions. There is a risk of a circular logic informing proposed links, as the most popular metric of autistic traits, the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), has an Imagination subscale with items relating directly and indirectly to imagery. We tested for inter-relationships between imagery vividness ratings and the expression of autistic traits, using metrics that do and do not encompass an Imagination subscale. We also conducted hierarchical linear regression analyses to assess the contributions of different AQ subscale scores to imagery inter-relationships. Only in our highest-powered study (N = 308) were we able to detect a weak inter-relationship between AQ scores and imagery, independent of the Imagination subscale. We suggest that only a weak inter-relationship should exist, as many autistic people describe themselves as visual thinkers who have strong imagery.

Authors

  • Loren N. Bouyer3
  • Elizabeth Pellicano2
  • Blake W. Saurels3
  • D. Samuel Schwarzkopf5
  • Derek H. Arnold3

Overview/Introduction

This research explores the relationship between aphantasia, a condition where individuals cannot visualize images in their minds, and autism, a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interactions. The study investigates whether there is a connection between the vividness of visual imagery and the expression of autistic traits. The focus is on understanding if people with autism, who often describe themselves as visual thinkers, have different experiences with mental imagery.

Methodology

The researchers conducted three studies involving different groups of participants:
  • Study 1: Involved 60 participants who completed two questionnaires: the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ2) and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ).
  • Study 2: Included 48 participants who completed the VVIQ2, AQ, and the Comprehensive Autism Trait Inventory (CATI), which does not include an Imagination subscale.
  • Study 3: Involved a larger group of 308 participants who completed the VVIQ2 and AQ online.
Participants were recruited through student research participation schemes and received course credit or monetary compensation. The studies were ethically approved, and participants provided informed consent.

Key Findings

  • Across all studies, there was no strong evidence of a relationship between overall autistic traits and the vividness of visual imagery.
  • A significant finding was the negative correlation between the AQ's Imagination subscale and VVIQ2 scores, indicating that people with higher scores on the Imagination subscale reported less vivid visual imagery.
  • The relationship between autistic traits and visual imagery was primarily driven by the Imagination subscale of the AQ.
  • In Study 3, a weak inter-relationship was found between overall AQ scores and VVIQ2 scores, but this was not robust.

Implications

  • The study suggests that the connection between autism and visual imagery is not as strong as previously thought and may only apply to a minority of autistic individuals.
  • These findings challenge the notion that all autistic individuals have impaired visual imagery and highlight the diversity of experiences within the autistic community.
  • The results emphasize the importance of considering individual differences when studying autism and visual thinking.

Limitations

  • The study's reliance on self-reported questionnaires may introduce bias, as participants' perceptions of their imagery vividness and autistic traits can be subjective.
  • The sample sizes in Studies 1 and 2 were relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
  • The moderate internal consistency of the AQ could have affected the ability to detect strong correlations.
Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the nuanced relationship between autism and visual imagery, suggesting that any connection is likely weak and not applicable to all autistic individuals. Future research s...