An international estimate of the prevalence of differing visual imagery abilities
Abstract
The aim of this research was to establish prevalence estimates for aphantasia, hypophantasia, typical imagery ability, and hyperphantasia in a large multi-national cohort. In Study 1, the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire was completed by 3,049 participants. Results indicated prevalence estimates of 1.2% for aphantasia, 3% for hypophantasia, 89.9% for typical imagery ability, and 5.9% for hyperphantasia. In Study 2, to replicate these findings in a larger sample, the Study 1 data were combined with openly available data from previous prevalence studies to create a total sample of 9,063 participants. Re-analysis of this data confirmed prevalence estimates of 0.9% for aphantasia, 3.3% for hypophantasia, 89.7% for typical imagery ability, and 6.1% for hyperphantasia. These robust and up-to-date estimates provide enhanced clarity to researchers regarding the prevalence of differing visual imagery abilities and provide a platform for future studies exploring the role of visual imagery in various cognitive and behavioral tasks.
Authors
- David J. Wright3
- Matthew W. Scott3
- Sarah N. Kraeutner1
- Pamela Barhoun1
- Maurizio Bertollo1
- Mark J. Campbell1
- Baptiste M. Waltzing1
- Stephan F. Dahm1
- Maaike Esselaar3
- Cornelia Frank1
- Robert M. Hardwick1
- Ian Fuelscher1
- Ben Marshall1
- Nicola J. Hodges1
- Christian Hyde1
- Paul S Holmes3