Research Auditory Perception & Cognition

The Relationship Between Auditory Imagery Vividness and Schizotypy: Dissecting the Role of Inner Speech and the Mind’s Ear

Schelp and LambertSeptember 2026

Abstract
What This Study Is About
How They Studied It
What They Found
What This Might Mean
One Interesting Detail
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Abstract

This study investigated the association between auditory imagery clarity and self-reported schizotypy across positive, negative, and disorganized domains using the Multidimensional Schizotypy Scale – Brief (MSS-B). The Auckland Auditory Imagery Scale (AAIS) assessed two dimensions of auditory imagery: the mind’s ear and inner voice. Individuals who reported experiencing anauralia (absence of a mind’s ear) showed lower positive schizotypy scores but higher negative schizotypy scores. Low inner voice and mind’s ear vividness was linked to lower positive traits of schizotypy, while higher mind’s ear vividness only correlated with higher positive schizotypy traits. These findings suggest a specific profile of schizotypal traits and related psychopathology that is linked to experience of auditory imagery. The results may have clinical implications, aiding development of more personalized approaches for both diagnostics and treatment and shedding light on the role of auditory imagery in the development of schizophrenia.

Our summary in plain words

What This Study Is About

Researchers investigated how the ability to hear sounds or voices in one's head relates to personality traits linked to the schizophrenia spectrum. They specifically looked at how "anauralia" (the absence of a mind's ear) and "anendophasia" (the absence of an inner voice) relate to different types of social and perceptual experiences.

How They Studied It

The study included 344 participants who completed several questionnaires. They used the Auckland Auditory Imagery Scale (AAIS) to measure two types of mental hearing: the "mind’s ear" (hearing environmental sounds or music) and the "inner voice" (hearing one's own internal speech). They also measured "schizotypy"—a range of personality traits that, in high amounts, can be related to schizophrenia, including "positive" traits (like unusual perceptions or hearing voices) and "negative" traits (like social withdrawal or lack of emotion). Because the researchers recruited from aphantasia and neurodiversity forums, the group included many people with low or no mental imagery.

What They Found

The study found that people who lack a mind's ear (anauralia) or an inner voice (anendophasia) were less likely to report "positive" schizotypal experiences, such as unusual perceptual feelings. However, those with anauralia were more likely to report "negative" traits, such as feeling socially or emotionally withdrawn. Conversely, people with a very vivid mind's ear were more likely to report higher levels of positive schizotypal traits. Interestingly, visual imagery (the ability to picture things) had a much weaker connection to these traits than auditory imagery did.

What This Might Mean

These findings suggest that our internal "soundscape" is closely tied to how we perceive reality and interact socially. The link between a vivid mind's ear and positive schizotypy suggests that hallucinations might occur when a person's internal imagery is so strong they mistake it for an external sound. For those with anauralia, the lack of internal sound might be related to a different psychological profile characterized by social withdrawal rather than unusual perceptions. However, because the participants were recruited from specific online groups, these results might not represent the general population perfectly.

One Interesting Detail

The researchers found that the "mind's ear" (hearing sounds) and the "inner voice" (internal speech) are distinct; a person could be highly vivid in one but lack the other, and each relates to personality traits in slightly different ways.

This summary was written with AI and may contain errors. Check the original paper.

Authors

Zoé Mi Schelp
2 papers in the library
Anthony J. Lambert
4 papers in the library

Cite this paper

Schelp, Z. M., & Lambert, A. J. (2026). The relationship between auditory imagery vividness and schizotypy: dissecting the role of inner speech and the mind’s ear. Auditory Perception & Cognition, 1–14. doi:10.1080/25742442.2026.2731312

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Research Auditory Perception & Cognition

The Relationship Between Auditory Imagery Vividness and Schizotypy: Dissecting the Role of Inner Speech and the Mind’s Ear

Schelp and LambertSeptember 2026

Read the paper

Abstract
What This Study Is About
How They Studied It
What They Found
What This Might Mean
One Interesting Detail
Authors
Cite this paper

Abstract

Our summary in plain words

What This Study Is About

How They Studied It

What They Found

What This Might Mean

One Interesting Detail

This summary was written with AI and may contain errors. Check the original paper.

Authors

Zoé Mi Schelp
2 papers in the library
Anthony J. Lambert
4 papers in the library

Cite this paper

Most-cited researchers

Recruit participants for your study

We can help you reach people across the imagery spectrum, from aphantasia to hyperphantasia.

Partner with us

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