What the research says
Seeing With the Mind's Eye
Not everyone sees their past or future in the same way. These invisible differences may apply to almost every aspect of thinking.
Peter Moleman · November 2020
What the research says
History of Aphantasia
Aphantasia, the inability to voluntarily form mental images, was first described by Francis Galton in 1880 but largely remained unstudied until 2015, when Professor Adam Zeman of the University of Exeter coined the term and began his research, bringing renewed scientific and public attention to this fascinating aspect of human cognition. The concept traces back to Aristotle's "phantasia" from 340 BC, establishing a rich historical foundation for understanding individual differences in mental imagery.
Tom Ebeyer · March 2020
A member’s story
What if the Mind's Eye Was Just a Metaphor?
One size does not fit all in education, like in all walks of life. Mind's eye blind: teaching without visualization.
Julia Edgar · June 2019
What the research says
Francis Galton's Breakfast Study: The Discovery of Non-Imagers (Aphantasia)
When it comes to visualizing things in the mind's eye, our experience varies widely. Francis Galton's groundbreaking Breakfast Study revealed this phenomenon over 140 years ago, fundamentally changing how we understand visual imagery and its assessment.
Aphantasia Network · September 2018