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Insights into embodied cognition and mental imagery from aphantasia

DOI: 10.1038/s44159-023-00221-9
Muraki, E. J., Speed, L. J., & Pexman, P. M. (2023). Insights into embodied cognition and mental imagery from aphantasia. Nature Reviews Psychology, 2(10), 591–605. doi:10.1038/s44159-023-00221-9

Abstract

Mental representations allow humans to think about, remember and communicate about an infinite number of concepts. A key question within cognitive psychology is how the mind stores and accesses the meaning of concepts. Embodied theories propose that concept knowledge includes or requires simulations of the sensory and physical interactions of one’s body with the world, even when a concept is subsequently processed in a context unrelated to those interactions. However, the nature of these simulations is highly debated and their mechanisms underspecified. Insight into whether and how simulations support concept knowledge can be derived from studying related mental representations, such as mental imagery. In particular, research into the inability to form mental imagery, known as aphantasia, can advance understanding of mental imagery and mental simulations. In this Review, we provide an overview of embodied theories of cognition, review research in mental imagery and consider how simulation and mental imagery might overlap. We then synthesize the growing aphantasia literature and discuss how aphantasia can be used to test predictions derived from theories of embodied cognition. Embodied theories propose that concept knowledge involves simulations of sensory information. In this Review, Muraki et al. discuss how studying individuals with an inability to form mental images can provide insight into the relationship between mental imagery and these mental simulations.

Authors

  • Emiko J. Muraki2
  • Laura J. Speed3
  • Penny M. Pexman2

What This Study Is About

Researchers wanted to know if people with aphantasia—the inability to create mental imagery (picturing things in your mind)—process the meaning of words and concepts differently. They explored whether you need to "simulate" senses like sight or touch in your head to truly understand what a word like "apple" or "run" means.

How They Studied It

This wasn't just one experiment; it was a massive "review" article. The authors gathered and analyzed years of research involving thousands of participants. They compared people with aphantasia to "typical" visualizers and people with hyperphantasia (who have extra-vivid mental images). They looked at everything from brain scans and memory tests to how quickly people react to different words.

What They Found

The researchers found that while people with aphantasia perform just as well on most tasks, they often use different "mental tools" to get the job done.
  • Different Strategies: While a typical visualizer might "see" a triangle to count its sides, someone with aphantasia might use facts and logic instead.
  • The "Fact" Path: People with aphantasia may rely more on linguistic knowledge (knowing *that* a lemon is yellow) rather than sensory simulation (feeling the "sourness" or seeing the "yellow").
  • Memory and Emotion: The study noted that aphantasia is often linked to having less vivid dreams and fewer "flashbulb" memories of personal life events.

What This Might Mean

This research suggests that the human brain is incredibly flexible. It proves that "picturing things" isn't the only way to think or understand the world—it’s just one path. Aphantasia acts as a "natural experiment" that helps scientists see which parts of thinking require images and which don't. However, because this is a summary of many different studies with different methods, we can't say for certain that *every* person with aphantasia thinks the same way. It suggests a "spectrum" of how we all process information.

One Interesting Detail

Scientists found a "physical" way to spot aphantasia: the pupil test! When most people imagine a bright sun, their pupils actually shrink as if they are looking at real light. For people with aphantasia, their pupils usually don't react at all, showing that their "mind's eye" truly works differently.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors. Always refer to the original paper for accuracy.