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Visual working memory in aphantasia: Retained accuracy and capacity with a different strategy

DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.07.012
Keogh, R., Wicken, M., & Pearson, J. (2021). Visual working memory in aphantasia: retained accuracy and capacity with a different strategy. Cortex, 143, 237–253. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2021.07.012

Abstract

A recent study investigated visual working memory performance in individuals with aphantasia, a condition characterized by the absence of visual imagery. The researchers assessed visual working memory task performance in this population using various lab and clinical working memory tasks. The results showed that aphantasic individuals did not have any differences in capacity limits for visual, general number, or spatial working memory compared to controls. They also performed similarly on visual components of clinical working memory tests compared to verbal components. However, the researchers found significant differences in the strategies used by aphantasic individuals in all memory tasks and their visual memory accuracy did not show a significant orientation effect, suggesting a non-visual imagery strategy. These findings suggest that visual imagery and working memory are not the same, with imagery being just one tool used to solve visual working memory tasks.

Authors

  • Rebecca Keogh14
  • Marcus Wicken3
  • Joel Pearson28

Visual Working Memory in Aphantasia: A New Perspective

Overview/Introduction

A recent study explored how individuals with aphantasia, a condition where people lack visual imagery, perform on visual working memory tasks. Visual working memory involves holding and manipulating visual information in the mind for short periods. Traditionally, it was thought that visual imagery was crucial for these tasks. This study challenges that notion by examining whether aphantasic individuals, who cannot form mental images, show any differences in their working memory capabilities compared to those who can visualize.

Methodology

Researchers conducted several lab and clinical working memory tasks with 21 aphantasic participants and a control group. The tasks included:
  • Visual Working Memory Tasks: Participants were asked to remember visual patterns and their orientations.
  • Number Working Memory Tasks: Participants remembered sequences of numbers.
  • Spatial Memory Tasks: Participants recalled the locations of visual stimuli.
  • Clinical Memory Tests: Standardized tests measured both visual and auditory working memory.
Participants also completed questionnaires to report the strategies they used during these tasks.

Key Findings

  • Performance: Aphantasic individuals performed similarly to the control group across all tasks, indicating no difference in memory capacity.
  • Strategies: While aphantasic individuals used different strategies, often non-visual, they achieved similar accuracy levels.
  • Orientation Effect: Aphantasic individuals did not show the typical orientation effect seen in visual memory tasks, supporting the use of non-visual strategies.
  • Correlation: A strong correlation was found between visual and number memory performance among aphantasic individuals, unlike in the general population.

Implications

These findings suggest that visual imagery is not essential for visual working memory tasks. Aphantasic individuals can use alternative strategies to achieve similar results, indicating that imagery is just one of many tools for memory tasks. This could lead to new approaches in understanding cognitive processes and developing strategies for individuals with different cognitive profiles.

Limitations

  • Participant Matching: The study did not match participants for age and intelligence in all tasks, which could influence results. However, clinical tests accounted for these factors, and aphantasic individuals still performed well.
  • Terminology: The study highlights the need for clear definitions of terms like "imagine" and "visualize," as aphantasic individuals may interpret them differently.
In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into how people with aphantasia process visual information and challenges the traditional view of visual imagery's role in working memory.