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2026

Imagery modulates the pupillary response, but this does not reliably index differences in imagery vividness.

Gardner, Saurels and Arnold · Cortex

Researchers found that while imagining dark versus bright scenes modulates the pupillary response, this physiological change does not correlate with subjective imagery vividness ratings. This suggests pupillometry is not a reliable objective index for individual differences in imagery strength.

2023

Phenomenological Studies of Visual Mental Imagery: A Review and Synthesis of Historical Datasets

Marks · Vision

Researchers synthesized historical and contemporary data to create a 16-descriptor template for visual mental imagery. This provides a normative standard to better understand individual differences in imagery vividness and clinical conditions.

2020

Screen‐time influences children's mental imagery performance

Suggate and Martzog · Developmental Science

In 266 German children aged 3 to 9, tested twice about 10 months apart, more daily screen time at the first test predicted slightly lower later accuracy on questions comparing two named objects (which is shinier, a trumpet or a violin?), after allowing for age, vocabulary, working memory and family background. Earlier task scores did not predict later screen time, and screen time did not predict answer speed. Television and interactive screens showed similar links. The authors suggest ready-made screen images give children less practice at making their own, though other factors could explain the link.

2011

Evaluating the Mind’s Eye: The Metacognition of Visual Imagery

Pearson, Rademaker and Tong · Psychological Science

Subjective vividness ratings reliably predict an image's impact on subsequent perception. This suggests that individuals have accurate metacognitive insight into the sensory strength of their mental imagery.

Visualization

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Visualization

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You Are Not Furniture: What A Viral Post Got Wrong About Aphantasia

Alexander of Aphrodisias: The Ancient Philosopher Who Mapped Mental Imagery

Laying the Tracks: How I Manifest Without Mental Imagery (or Nostalgia)

How a Visual Artist Who Can't Visualise Grew to Embrace Her Process

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Disordered, Deficient, Dehumanized: How the Language of Aphantasia Research Shapes What We Think About It

Research

Imagery modulates the pupillary response, but this does not reliably index differences in imagery vividness.

Phenomenological Studies of Visual Mental Imagery: A Review and Synthesis of Historical Datasets

Screen‐time influences children's mental imagery performance

Evaluating the Mind’s Eye: The Metacognition of Visual Imagery

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