Research library
Papers about aphantasia and mental imagery, with summaries in plain words. The summaries are generated by AI and may contain errors.
Monzel and colleagues · Behavior Research Methods
Using existing data from 111 people, 38 classed as having little or no imagery, the authors propose a new way to score a test in which imagining a colored pattern makes it more likely to be seen when each eye sees a different pattern. Counting trials where people saw a mix, instead of dropping them, made the score agree better with self-reported imagery, but only when few clear trials were recorded. The score explained about a tenth of the variation in self-reports, and the authors judge it better at separating groups than individuals and too weak to classify one person.
Suggate · Behavior Research Methods
Across three online studies with German university students (96, 345 and 448 people), the author tested a quick task in which people hear questions such as which is softer, a pine needle or a blade of grass, and answer as fast as they can. The task gave consistent results, answers about sight came fastest and about touch slowest, and it measured more than general speed. But scores barely related to people's own ratings of their imagery, which the author reads as the two capturing different things. No group of people with aphantasia was tested.
Want to take part? See the studies you can join.
Running a study? We can help you recruit participants.