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Impoverished recall of sensory details along infrequently travelled routes in aphantasia

DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2025.2507948
Li, A., Arrieta, M., Levine, B., & Rosenbaum, R. S. (2025). Impoverished recall of sensory details along infrequently travelled routes in aphantasia. Memory, 1–13. doi:10.1080/09658211.2025.2507948

Abstract

Visual imagery is important for recalling environmental details, but individuals with aphantasia are reported to show intact spatial memory. We investigated spatial memories of previously experienced environments in individuals with and without aphantasia using self-report and route description tasks. Aphantasic participants (n = 113) and controls (n = 110) completed questionnaires on spatial navigation, memory, anxiety, and mood. A subgroup (aphantasic: n = 65, control: n = 72) completed a route description task assessing memory for details along frequently and infrequently travelled routes. Aphantasic participants did not differ significantly from controls on self-reported navigation ability or strategies. Both groups recalled similar numbers of spatial, entity, and sensory details when describing frequently travelled routes. However, aphantasic participants recalled fewer sensory details for infrequently travelled routes. This finding was corroborated by nominally lower ratings on self-reported memory for object locations and new routes. Findings suggest that spatial memory, including sensory content, remains intact in aphantasia for frequent routes. Impoverished sensory details for infrequent routes indicates that individuals with aphantasia may rely on compensatory strategies, like semanticization, for frequently experienced environments. This suggests that spatial memory for real-world environments involve dissociable processes, some of which are independent of imagery.

Authors

  • Adrienne Li1
  • Maria Arrieta1
  • Brian Levine5
  • R. Shayna Rosenbaum1

Understanding Spatial Memory in Individuals with Aphantasia

Overview/Introduction

Have you ever wondered how people remember places they've been to, even if they can't visualize them in their mind? This study explores how individuals with aphantasia—those who are unable to form mental images—recall details of environments they have experienced. The research aims to understand whether people with aphantasia have different spatial memory abilities compared to those who can visualize.

Methodology

The study involved two groups of participants:
  • Aphantasic participants: 113 individuals who cannot form mental images.
  • Control group: 110 individuals with typical visual imagery abilities.
Participants completed:
  • Questionnaires: These assessed their spatial navigation skills, memory, anxiety, and mood.
  • Route Description Task: A subgroup of participants (65 aphantasic and 72 controls) described details of routes they frequently and infrequently traveled.

Key Findings

  • Navigation Abilities: Both aphantasic individuals and controls reported similar abilities and strategies for navigation.
  • Memory for Frequent Routes: When describing frequently traveled routes, both groups recalled a similar number of spatial, entity, and sensory details.
  • Memory for Infrequent Routes: Aphantasic participants recalled fewer sensory details for routes they traveled less often.
  • Self-Reported Memory: Aphantasic participants rated their memory for object locations and new routes slightly lower than controls.

Implications

The findings suggest that:
  • Spatial Memory is Intact: For frequently traveled routes, individuals with aphantasia can recall spatial details effectively, indicating that spatial memory does not solely rely on visual imagery.
  • Compensatory Strategies: Aphantasic individuals might use other strategies, like focusing on factual or semantic information, to remember places, especially when they lack sensory details.
  • Dissociable Memory Processes: Spatial memory involves different processes, some of which do not depend on the ability to visualize.

Limitations

While the study provides valuable insights, it is important to note:
  • Self-Report Measures: The reliance on self-reported data could introduce bias, as participants' perceptions of their abilities might not fully reflect their actual performance.
  • Sample Size: Although the study included a substantial number of participants, further research with larger and more diverse samples could enhance the generalizability of the findings.
In summary, this research highlights the fascinating ways in which people with aphantasia navigate and remember the world around them, using strategies beyond visual imagery. Understanding these processes can help us appreciate the diverse ways humans experience and interact with their environments.