Spatial Imagery
Spatial imagery is a sub-type of mental imagery and refers to the ability to manipulate and locate objects in space. While people with aphantasia may have difficulty with visualizing objects, they seem to have higher spatial accuracy. Resources available for further reading.
Unsupervised clustering reveals spatial and verbal cognitive profiles in aphantasia and typical imagery
This study used unsupervised clustering to analyze cognitive profiles in people with and without aphantasia. Rather than finding group differences, three distinct cognitive clusters emerged based on visual, spatial, and verbal abilities across both groups.
Delem, M., Turkben, S., Cavalli, E., Cousineau, D., & Plancher, G. (2025). Unsupervised clustering reveals spatial and verbal cognitive profiles in aphantasia and typical imagery. Neuropsychologia, 219, 109279. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109279
When Memory Feels Vivid: Why the Moment Matters More Than the Trait
For years, researchers asked how vivid people's mental images are in general. William Duckett asked a different question—and discovered something that's reshaping how we understand imagery and memory.
A decade of aphantasia research – and still going!
Aphantasia varies across multiple dimensions including voluntary versus involuntary imagery and associated cognitive differences. Research confirms introspection reliably distinguishes imagery extremes, supporting its validity in psychology.
Zeman, A. (2025). A decade of aphantasia research – and still going!. Neuropsychologia, 219, 109278. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2025.109278
Why indecisive trials matter: Improving the binocular rivalry imagery priming score for the assessment of aphantasia
This study improves the binocular rivalry priming score for reliably identifying people with aphantasia, a condition marked by absent or reduced mental imagery. The enhanced measure outperforms existing methods and is recommended for future aphantasia research.
Monzel, M., Scholz, C. O., Pearson, J., & Reuter, M. (2025). Why indecisive trials matter: improving the binocular rivalry imagery priming score for the assessment of aphantasia. Behavior Research Methods, 57(9). doi:10.3758/s13428-025-02780-6
The Shape of Things Unseen: Conversation with Dr. Adam Zeman On The New Science of Imagination
What if everything you thought you knew about creativity was wrong? The scientist who discovered aphantasia unveils the "new science of imagination" and explains why visualization might not be essential to human creativity.
Aphantasia and Hyperphantasia: What We Know After a Decade of Research
Since 2015, "aphantasia" has reshaped our understanding of imagination, revealing that not everyone visualizes mentally. This discovery, along with "hyperphantasia," highlights the diverse nature of human imagination.
Which characteristics are due to aphantasia?
What traits do you think stem from limited mental imagery versus natural skill differences? Join the conversation!
Quantifying Aphantasia Through Drawing
Wilma Bainbridge shares insight into how we can use drawings to uncover what's inside the memory of people with aphantasia in this presentation from the 2021 Extreme Imagination Conference.
Near total aphantasia w/ hyper-realistic spatial awareness
Despite having no visual imagination, I navigate spaces with remarkable spatial awareness, relying on memory alone. Curious if others relate!
Sense of direction and Aphantasia
Do others struggle with getting lost and following directions due to their unique mental imagery experiences?
Aphantasia Explained: Some People Can’t Form Mental Pictures
How do you draw from memory if you can't form mental pictures? Evidently, you don’t need to “see” with the mind’s eye to carry-out these tasks.
Mental Rotation Tasks: The Surprising Advantage of Aphantasia
Discover how people with aphantasia excel at mental rotation despite having no visual imagery. Complete these mental rotation tasks and explore the fascinating cognitive differences.
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