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Visual imagery vividness appears to be independent of perceptual and memory precision

DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/ahtsd
Thorudottir, S., Asgeirsson, A. G., & Sigurdardottir, H. M. (n.d.). Visual imagery vividness appears to be independent of perceptual and memory precision. doi:10.31234/osf.io/ahtsd

Abstract

Visual mental imagery, or the ability to see with the mind’s eye, varies between individuals. The vividness of visual imagery ranges from people with aphantasia who experience no mental image at all, to those with hyperphantasia who experience very clear and vivid mental imagery. In the present study we investigated the possible connection between the vividness of visual mental imagery and precision of information retrieval from visual memory. We predicted that people experiencing weak or no mental imagery are poorer at retrieving information with great details from memory, such as the color of objects, than those experiencing strong and vivid mental imagery. This was tested in three experiments: a visual perception task, a visual working memory task, and a long-term visual memory task. The Vividness of Visual Imagery (VVIQ) questionnaire was used to assess imagery vividness. The perception task served as a control. A colored sample object and a grayscale test object were presented simultaneously. In the working memory and long-term memory tasks, a delay was added between the presentation of colored sample objects and grayscale test objects. Participants were asked to adjust the test object’s color until it matched that of the corresponding sample object. Our findings indicate no association between mental imagery vividness and memory precision. Possible explanations for this lack of an association are discussed.

Authors

  • Sandra Thorudottir2
  • Arni Gunnar Asgeirsson1
  • Heida Maria Sigurdardottir2

Understanding Visual Mental Imagery and Memory

Overview/Introduction

Visual mental imagery, or the ability to "see" with the mind's eye, varies greatly among individuals. Some people experience no mental images at all, a condition known as aphantasia, while others have extremely vivid images, known as hyperphantasia. This study explored whether the vividness of these mental images affects how well people can remember visual details, such as the color of objects. The researchers hypothesized that individuals with less vivid imagery would have poorer memory precision compared to those with more vivid imagery.

Methodology

The study involved 57 participants who completed three tasks:
  • Visual Perception Task: Participants matched the color of a grayscale object to a colored sample shown simultaneously.
  • Visual Working Memory Task: Participants memorized the color of objects and matched them after a short delay.
  • Long-Term Memory Task: Participants matched colors of objects seen earlier after a longer delay.
The vividness of participants' mental imagery was assessed using the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ). Participants adjusted the color of test objects using an invisible color wheel to match previously seen colored objects.

Key Findings

  • Surprisingly, there was no significant link between the vividness of mental imagery and the precision of visual memory.
  • Participants across the spectrum of imagery vividness (aphantasia to hyperphantasia) showed similar levels of memory precision.
  • The study found that many participants, regardless of their imagery vividness, used verbal strategies (like naming colors) to aid memory, which might have influenced the results.

Implications

These findings challenge the common belief that having vivid mental images enhances memory precision. Instead, the study suggests that other cognitive strategies, such as verbal encoding, might play a more significant role in visual memory tasks. This insight could influence how memory-related cognitive tasks are approached, emphasizing the potential importance of verbal strategies over visual imagery.

Limitations

The study's results may have been influenced by participants' use of verbal strategies, which were not the primary focus of the research. Future studies might need to implement stricter controls to isolate "pure" visual memory processes and better understand the role of mental imagery in memory tasks.
In conclusion, this research provides new insights into the complex relationship between mental imagery and memory, suggesting that vivid imagery might not be as advantageous for memory precision as previously thought.