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Imagine, and you will find – Lack of attentional guidance through visual imagery in aphantasics

DOI: 10.3758/s13414-021-02307-z
Monzel, M., Keidel, K., & Reuter, M. (2021). Imagine, and you will find – lack of attentional guidance through visual imagery in aphantasics. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 83(6), 2486–2497. doi:10.3758/s13414-021-02307-z

Abstract

Aphantasia is the condition of reduced or absent voluntary imagery. So far, behavioural differences between aphantasics and non-aphantasics have hardly been studied as the base rate of those affected is quite low. The aim of the study was to examine if attentional guidance in aphantasics is impaired by their lack of visual imagery. In two visual search tasks, an already established one by Moriya (Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 80(5), 1127-1142, 2018) and a newly developed one, we examined whether aphantasics are primed less by their visual imagery than non-aphantasics. The sample in Study 1 consisted of 531 and the sample in Study 2 consisted of 325 age-matched pairs of aphantasics and non-aphantasics. Moriya’s Task was not capable of showing the expected effect, whereas the new developed task was. These results could mainly be attributed to different task characteristics. Therefore, a lack of attentional guidance through visual imagery in aphantasics can be assumed and interpreted as new evidence in the imagery debate, showing that mental images actually influence information processing and are not merely epiphenomena of propositional processing.

Authors

  • Merlin Monzel23
  • Kristof Keidel2
  • Martin Reuter15

Understanding Aphantasia: How the Lack of Visual Imagery Affects Attention

Overview/Introduction

Aphantasia is a condition where individuals experience reduced or absent voluntary visual imagery, meaning they cannot visualize images in their mind. This study explores whether this lack of visual imagery affects how aphantasics focus their attention, particularly during tasks that require visual searching. The research aims to understand if aphantasics are less influenced by visual imagery compared to those without the condition.

Methodology

The study involved two visual search tasks to compare aphantasics and non-aphantasics:
  • Study 1: Utilized an established task by Moriya, involving color visualization and identification.
  • Study 2: Introduced a new task focusing on spontaneous use of visual imagery with words and images.
Participants included 531 pairs in Study 1 and 325 pairs in Study 2, all age-matched between aphantasics and non-aphantasics. The tasks measured reaction times and error rates to determine the influence of visual imagery on attention.

Key Findings

  • Study 1 Results: The Moriya task did not show significant differences between aphantasics and non-aphantasics, possibly due to task complexity and reliance on color imagery.
  • Study 2 Results: The new task revealed that non-aphantasics were faster and more accurate in tasks involving images, suggesting they benefit from visual imagery. Aphantasics, however, did not show the same level of attentional guidance, indicating their lack of visual imagery affects their performance.
  • Overall: Aphantasics were generally slower and made more errors in tasks requiring visual imagery, highlighting the role of visual imagery in attentional guidance.

Implications

  • For Aphantasics: The absence of visual imagery might impact everyday tasks that require visual searching, such as finding objects or navigating environments.
  • For Cognitive Science: The study supports theories that visual imagery plays a crucial role in information processing, challenging views that consider mental imagery as merely a byproduct of other cognitive processes.

Limitations

  • Task Complexity: The Moriya task's complexity might have masked differences between groups.
  • Sample Characteristics: The study's quasi-experimental design means results could be influenced by factors other than visual imagery, such as object identification skills.

Conclusion

This research provides new insights into how aphantasia affects cognitive processes, particularly attentional guidance. It highlights the importance of visual imagery in everyday tasks and supports theories that emphasize the role of mental images in cognitive functioning. Further research could explore how these findings translate to real-world scenarios and impact the daily lives of those with aphantasia.