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The critical role of mental imagery in human emotion: insights from fear-based imagery and aphantasia

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0267
Wicken, M., Keogh, R., & Pearson, J. (2021). The critical role of mental imagery in human emotion: insights from fear-based imagery and aphantasia. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 288(1946), 20210267. doi:10.1098/rspb.2021.0267

Abstract

One proposed function of imagery is to make thoughts more emotionally evocative through sensory simulation, which can be helpful both in planning for future events and in remembering the past, but also a hindrance when thoughts become overwhelming and maladaptive, such as in anxiety disorders. Here, we report a novel test of this theory using a special population with no visual imagery: aphantasia. After using multi-method verification of aphantasia, we show that this condition, but not the general population, is associated with a flat-line physiological response (skin conductance levels) to reading and imagining frightening stories. Importantly, we show in a second experiment that this difference in physiological responses to fear-inducing stimuli is not found when perceptually viewing fearful images. These data demonstrate that the aphantasic individuals' lack of a physiological response when imaging scenarios is likely to be driven by their inability to visualize and is not due to a general emotional or physiological dampening. This work provides evidence that a lack of visual imagery results in a dampened emotional response when reading fearful scenarios, providing evidence for the emotional amplification theory of visual imagery.

Authors

  • Marcus Wicken3
  • Rebecca Keogh14
  • Joel Pearson28

Overview/Introduction

Imagery and Emotion: Imagery plays a crucial role in how we experience emotions. It allows us to simulate events in our minds, making them feel more real and emotionally charged. This can be beneficial for planning and remembering but can also be overwhelming, especially in anxiety disorders. This study explores this concept by examining individuals with aphantasia, a condition where people cannot form mental images.

Methodology

Participants and Verification: Researchers recruited individuals with aphantasia and a control group with typical imagery abilities. They verified aphantasia using questionnaires and a psychophysical task to ensure participants truly lacked visual imagery.
Experiments:
  • Imagery Experiment: Participants read frightening stories while their physiological responses (skin conductance levels or SCL) were measured. SCL is a marker of emotional arousal.
  • Perception Experiment: Participants viewed frightening images, and their SCL was measured again to see if the lack of imagery affected emotional responses to real visual stimuli.

Key Findings

  • Reduced Emotional Response in Aphantasia: Aphantasic individuals showed a significantly lower physiological response to the frightening stories compared to the control group, suggesting that visual imagery enhances emotional experiences.
  • Normal Response to Real Images: Both groups had similar physiological responses to actual frightening images, indicating that aphantasia specifically affects imagined scenarios, not general emotional responsiveness.

Implications

  • Understanding Emotional Amplification: The study supports the idea that visual imagery amplifies emotions. This insight could influence how we understand and treat conditions like anxiety and PTSD, where imagery plays a role.
  • Potential Therapeutic Applications: Therapies that rely on imagery might need adjustment for aphantasic individuals, as they might not benefit from techniques like imagery rescripting.

Limitations

  • Emotion Type: The study only examined fear. Other emotions might not be as affected by the lack of imagery.
  • Age Differences: The control group was younger than the aphantasic group, but age did not seem to influence the results.
  • Sample Size and Design: A larger, more diverse sample and a within-subjects design could strengthen future research findings.
In summary, this research highlights the significant role of visual imagery in emotional experiences and provides a deeper understanding of aphantasia, offering new perspectives for psychological and therapeutic practices.