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The Experience of Music in Aphantasia: Emotion, Reward, and Everyday Functions

DOI: 10.1177/20592043231216259
Hashim, S., Pulcini, C., Jansari, A., Küssner, M. B., & Omigie, D. (2024). The experience of music in aphantasia: emotion, reward, and everyday functions. Music & Science, 7. doi:10.1177/20592043231216259

Abstract

Visual imagery has been proposed to be one of eight mechanisms by which music induces emotion in listeners. Initial research into aphantasia, a condition referring to individuals who do not (or only minimally) form visual imagery in their mind's eye, suggests that aphantasics may experience reduced emotional experiences in response to imagined stimuli. In this two-part online investigation, we sought to explore the emotional experiences of aphantasics within the context of music listening. In Survey 1, we compared 51 aphantasics to 51 control individuals in terms of their experiences of visual imagery, liking, and felt emotional intensity when listening to three film music excerpts. We found significant group differences in terms of visual imagery and felt emotional intensity, but not liking. In Survey 2, we examined aphantasics’ ability to recognize emotions conveyed by music, and their patterns of experience of, and engagement with, music in everyday life by comparing the responses of 29 aphantasics with 29 matched controls. We found no differences in terms of emotion discrimination ability. However, aphantasics generally experienced less Reminiscence (dimension from the Adaptive Functions of Music Listening scale) to music, as well as fewer Episodic Memories (dimension from the MecScale). Aphantasics and control listeners did not exhibit differences in terms of sensitivity to musical reward (measured using the BMRQ) or in terms of musical sophistication (measured using the Gold-MSI). Finally, our findings suggest nuanced differences between controls and those with pure and minimal aphantasia. In all, we reveal the influence that aphantasia can have on emotional responses to music and thus provide further evidence for the relationship between visual imagery and music-induced emotion.

Authors

  • Sarah Hashim1
  • Claudia Pulcini1
  • Ashok Jansari1
  • Mats B. Küssner1
  • Diana Omigie1

Exploring Music and Emotion in Aphantasia

Overview/Introduction

Aphantasia is a condition where individuals have little to no ability to form mental images. This study investigates how aphantasia affects emotional experiences when listening to music. Music often evokes emotions through various mechanisms, including visual imagery. The research aims to understand if aphantasics experience music differently in terms of emotion and memory.

Methodology

The study was conducted in two parts using online surveys.
  • Survey 1: Compared 51 aphantasics with 51 control participants. Participants listened to film music excerpts and reported their visual imagery, liking, and emotional intensity.
  • Survey 2: Examined emotion recognition and everyday music engagement in 29 aphantasics and 29 controls. Participants completed questionnaires on music's emotional impact and their musical habits.

Key Findings

  • Survey 1: Aphantasics reported significantly less visual imagery and emotional intensity compared to controls, but their liking of the music was similar.
  • Survey 2:
  • No difference in emotion recognition abilities between aphantasics and controls.
  • Aphantasics experienced less reminiscence and fewer episodic memories related to music.
  • No significant differences in musical reward sensitivity or musical sophistication.

Implications

  • Emotional Experience: Aphantasics may have a reduced emotional response to music due to limited visual imagery, affecting how they connect emotionally with music.
  • Memory and Music: The ability to recall memories or reminisce through music is diminished in aphantasics, suggesting a link between visual imagery and memory formation.
  • Music Engagement: Despite differences in emotional and memory responses, aphantasics enjoy music similarly to others, indicating that other factors contribute to musical enjoyment.

Limitations

  • Sample Size: The study's small sample size, especially in subgroup analyses, may limit the generalizability of the findings.
  • Retrospective Reporting: Reliance on self-reported data and retrospective questionnaires may introduce bias or inaccuracies.
  • Music Selection: The use of film music may have influenced emotional responses due to associations with the films, not just the music itself.
This research highlights the complex relationship between visual imagery, emotion, and music, providing insights into how aphantasia affects these experiences. Further studies could explore these dynamics using diverse musical genres and real-time reporting methods.