Hidden Differences in Phenomenal Experience

Abstract

In addition to the many easily observable differences between people, there are also differences in people's subjective experiences that are harder to observe, and which, as a consequence, remain hidden. For example, people vary widely in how much visual imagery they experience. But those who cannot see in their mind's eye, tend to assume everyone is like them. Those who can, assume everyone else can as well. We argue that a study of such hidden phenomenal differences has much to teach cognitive science. Uncovering and describing this variation (a search for unknown unknowns) may help predict otherwise puzzling differences in human behavior. The very existence of certain differences can also act as a stress test for some cognitive theories. Finally, studying hidden phenomenal differences is the first step toward understanding what kinds of environments may mask or unmask links between phenomenal experience and observable behavior.

What This Study Is About

This research explores "hidden" differences in how people experience the world, such as aphantasia—the inability to create mental images. It investigates why people often assume everyone else’s inner mind works exactly like their own, even when their experiences are vastly different.

How They Studied It

The researchers conducted surveys with several groups of people (ranging from 60 to 500 participants). They asked questions about subjective experiences, such as whether people see a "constant shade of black" when they close their eyes or if they ever imagined "ninjas" running alongside their car as children. Crucially, they also asked participants to guess how common these experiences were in other people.

What They Found

The study found a strong "false consensus effect": people tend to project their own inner experiences onto others. For example, every participant who reported seeing total darkness when closing their eyes assumed that other people experienced the same thing. Conversely, those who saw vivid colors or patterns assumed that was the norm. The researchers also noted that while people with aphantasia lack a "mind's eye," they often perform just as well on memory tests as those with vivid imagery, likely because they use different mental strategies to reach the same result.

What This Might Mean

This suggests that many significant differences in how our minds work remain "hidden" because they don't always cause obvious differences in behavior. It highlights that "normal" human experience is much more diverse than we realize. However, because the study relies on self-reporting, it reminds us that we are still learning how to objectively measure what is happening inside someone else's mind.

One Interesting Detail

The researchers used a popular internet meme about an "imaginary ninja" running beside a car to show how a common childhood experience for some is completely foreign to others; those who never imagined the ninja were often shocked to learn it was a widespread phenomenon.

Hidden Differences in Phenomenal Experience

Abstract

Authors

Hidden Differences in Phenomenal Experience

Abstract

Authors

Hidden Differences in Phenomenal Experience

Abstract

Authors

Hidden Differences in Phenomenal Experience

Abstract

Authors

What This Study Is About

How They Studied It

What They Found

What This Might Mean

One Interesting Detail

What This Study Is About

How They Studied It

What They Found

What This Might Mean

One Interesting Detail

Joel Pearson

Merlin Monzel

Adam Zeman

Rebecca Keogh

Martin Reuter

Juha Silvanto

Paolo Bartolomeo

Carla Dance

Jianghao Liu

Fraser Milton