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Topic: Cognition

How do people with aphantasia think? Are people with aphantasia verbal thinkers? Aphantasia, primarily characterized by an absence of visual imagery, undoubtedly influences the visual facet of cognition. However, its broader impact on other cognitive processes remains a subject of keen scientific interest. These resources delve into the intricate relationship between aphantasia and cognition. By engaging with the latest research findings, community narratives, and in-depth discussions, you can gain a deeper insight into the diverse thinking styles of those with aphantasia. These resources shed light on how aphantasia shapes thought processes, potentially leading to a reliance on verbal or other non-visual thinking strategies.

  • 4 Articles
  • 3 Discussions
  • 5 Videos
  • 6 Research
ball on the table, conceptualizer
Strategies
The Ball on a Table: How to Tell the Difference Between Visualizers and Conceptualizers
Visualize (picture, imagine, whatever you want to call it) a ball on a table. Now, imagine someone walks up to the table and gives the ball a push. What happens to the ball?
Jennifer McDougall and Aphantasia Network
on October 8, 2023
visualiser's fallacy
Science
The Visualiser’s Fallacy
Understanding the hidden assumptions that lead to biases against aphantasics’ cognitive abilities.
Christian Scholz
on September 25, 2023
Learning with Aphantasia
Strategies
Learning with Aphantasia: Exploring the Potential Limitations and Opportunities for Learners
There’s no right or wrong, good or bad way to learn something just different
Aphantasia Network
on November 30, 2019
Think of a Horse
Strategies
Think of a Horse: Describing Aphantasia
How do you describe aphantasia? Founder of Aphantasia Network often gets asked this question. His answer? Think of a horse.
Tom Ebeyer
on January 24, 2019
Ian Miller
June 8, 2021
Do you think in words?
I’m an engineer/scientist, and I have always been driven to try to understand how things work, and to use that understanding to solve real-world proble...
Lê Định
May 25, 2021
Thinking: Visual vs Abstract vs Verbal vs Logic vs Connective vs Kinesthetic etc.
I’ve been surprised so much watching a clip about “aphantasia” saying “your mind is blind” just because a picture does not pop ...
Robert Zenhausern
April 28, 2021
If you have not images, how can you think?
I was 7 years old when I realized I did not have visual imagery and forgot about it.30 years later, I mentioned it to a student, and she was shocked.  “...
Q&A With Mac Shine [Member Exclusive]
Watch this extended interview with Mac Shine answering the community’s questions about "What It's Like To Be A Neuroscientist With Aphantasia" in this live Q&A session. Hosted by Tom Ebeyer.
August 30, 2023
neuroscientist
What’s It Like To Be A Neuroscientist With Aphantasia?
Neuroscientist Mac Shine delves into aphantasia—a condition he personally experiences—to challenge conventional views on perception, explore the neuroscience of imagination, and draw unexpected parallels between the cognitive functions of aphantasics and large language models like ChatGPT-4.
August 30, 2023
Q&A with Christian Scholz
Q&A With Christian Scholz [Member Exclusive]
Christian Scholz answers the community’s questions about 'Meta-Imagination and The Language Game of Visualising' in this live Q&A. Hosted by Tom Ebeyer.
June 28, 2023
Meta-Imagination and the Language Game of Visualising
Discover how individuals with aphantasia engage in imaginative exercises using language and how this experience differs from visualizers. Christian Scholz presents a new theoretical concept called meta-imagination.
June 28, 2023
verbal thinkers
Are People with Aphantasia Verbal Thinkers?
Julia Simner addresses a common misconception that aphantasics must be verbal thinkers in this presentation from the 2021 Extreme Imagination Conference.
October 21, 2021
Mental imagery and visual attentional templates: a dissociation
Cabbai, G., Brown, C. R. H., Dance, C., Simner, J., & Forster, S. (2023). Mental imagery and visual attentional templates: a dissociation. Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2023.09.014
This study investigates the interaction between mental images and attentional templates, which are visual working memory tools used to focus attention on objects matching certain features. Surprisingly, the research found that the ability to focus attention based on color cues, a form of attentional template, was consistent among all participants, regardless of their ability to mentally visualize images. This includes those with aphantasia, who can't create mental images voluntarily. Notably, the effectiveness of using these attentional templates was similar in aphantasics and non-aphantasics, despite differences in their search strategies and overall speed and accuracy. This finding suggests that the brain's mechanism for using visual features to guide attention operates independently of one's subjective experience of visual imagery.
Aphantasia: a philosophical approach
Lorenzatti, J. J. (2023). Aphantasia: a philosophical approach. Philosophical Psychology, 1–29. doi:10.1080/09515089.2023.2253854
Aphantasia has gained media attention in recent years but remains under-discussed in the philosophy of mind. This paper evaluates potential explanations for aphantasia based on cognitive science research. Four hypotheses are considered: (i) a conceptual discrepancy, (ii) a failure in attention mechanisms affecting introspection, (iii) a lack of conscious access to underlying imagistic representations, and (iv) a complete absence of these underlying representations. The study concludes that the first two hypotheses can be dismissed, while the latter two are plausible explanations. Among them, the fourth hypothesis aligns best with existing evidence. The paper also suggests areas for future research to deepen our understanding of aphantasia.
Insights into embodied cognition and mental imagery from aphantasia
Muraki, E. J., Speed, L. J., & Pexman, P. M. (2023). Insights into embodied cognition and mental imagery from aphantasia. Nature Reviews Psychology. doi:10.1038/s44159-023-00221-9
Mental representations are the mind's way of understanding and communicating countless concepts. One of the big questions in cognitive psychology is how our brain stores and retrieves the meanings of these concepts. Some theories, known as embodied theories, suggest that when we think of a concept, our brain "simulates" or recreates sensory and physical experiences related to that concept. For instance, thinking of an apple might briefly make us imagine its taste, texture, and color. However, there's debate about how these simulations work or even if they're essential. A way to explore this is by studying mental imagery, which is our ability to create pictures in our mind. Some people, due to a condition called aphantasia, can't form these mental images. By understanding this condition, we can gain insights into how our mind uses imagery and simulations. This paper reviews the idea that our cognition is "embodied" and delves into research on mental imagery. It also discusses the emerging studies on aphantasia and how it can help us understand the broader theories of how our mind represents concepts.
Aphantasia, Unsymbolized Thinking and Conscious Thought
Krempel, R. (2023). Aphantasia, unsymbolized thinking and conscious thought. Erkenntnis. doi:10.1007/s10670-023-00706-2
This paper challenges the prevailing belief that conscious thoughts necessarily involve mental images or quasi-perceptual experiences, even when considering abstract concepts. It argues that unsymbolized thinking (thoughts without imagery) and total aphantasia (inability to produce mental images) cast doubt on this view. The author rejects the counterargument that individuals experiencing unsymbolized thinking or aphantasia are mistaken or lack conscious thoughts. Instead, they propose that unsymbolized thinking and aphantasia offer evidence that conscious thoughts can occur without relying on any form of mental imagery, questioning the long-standing assumption about the inseparable connection between conscious thoughts and mental images.
A cognitive profile of multi-sensory imagery, memory and dreaming in aphantasia
Dawes, A. J., Keogh, R., Andrillon, T., & Pearson, J. (2020). A cognitive profile of multi-sensory imagery, memory and dreaming in aphantasia. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 10022. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-65705-7
Visual imagery is an important part of many people's internal experiences and helps with cognitive processes. However, some individuals with aphantasia lack the ability to generate visual imagery. Recent research suggests that aphantasia is defined by a lack of visual imagery and not a lack of awareness of it. A study showed that compared to people who have the ability to create imagery, aphantasic individuals have decreased imagery in other senses, but not all report a complete lack of multi-sensory imagery. They also have less vivid and rich memories and future scenarios, and fewer and less vivid dreams. However, their spatial abilities remain unchanged and aphantasic individuals do not appear to be considerably protected against all forms of trauma symptomatology in response to stressful life events. These findings suggest that visual imagery is a normal tool for representing events, but with large variability between individuals.
The human imagination: the cognitive neuroscience of visual mental imagery
Pearson, J. (2019). The human imagination: the cognitive neuroscience of visual mental imagery. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 20(10), 624–634. doi:10.1038/s41583-019-0202-9
This research discusses the study of the brain mechanisms involved in visual mental imagery. It examines the recent findings and insights into the role of mental imagery in cognitive processes and its effects on general cognition. The review highlights the range of imagery vividness and strength, from absence to photo-like, and how this can be linked to the anatomy and function of the primary visual cortex. The study also discusses the use of mental imagery as a tool in various cognitive processes, including memory recall, and its role in neurological and mental disorders and treatments. The research concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the neural mechanisms behind mental imagery and its impact on cognition.