Researchers have uncovered distinct differences between people who can create visual images in their mind and those without this ability. They found more proof that ‘mind-blindness’ is a legitimate condition.
The
inability to voluntarily form mental images was first described in medical
literature by Francis Galton in 1880. People with this condition
experience difficulty picturing scenes or objects in their mind, a phenomenon
known as mind-blindness.
Since Galton first reported its
existence, it wasn’t until a 2015 study published in the journal Cortex that scientist Adam Zeman labeled the condition as
“aphantasia.”
Aphantasia is rare, but scientists
have identified two types of the disorder, including acquired aphantasia, which
can occur after a brain injury or occasionally after periods of depression or
psychosis, and congenital aphantasia, which is present at birth.
People without visual imagery can
experience a host of challenges. For example, the ability to recall faces or
familiar places can cause frustration and social difficulties.
Being unable to visually remember
important events, such as what the flowers or dress looked like on a person’s
wedding day, can also be disheartening. Even simple imagery tasks, such as
counting sheep to fall asleep, is a challenge.
Interestingly, a recent article in
scientific reports notes that people with this condition experience images
while dreaming, although they are not as vivid or frequent. This observation
suggests that while unintentional visual imaging may remain mostly intact,
intentionally recalling images is more challenging.
To probe deeper into the inner workings of the
“mind’s eye,” a group of researchers recently set out to investigate the
differences between individuals who have aphantasia and people with typical
imagery skills.
The researchers used drawing tasks
requiring visual memory to ascertain differences between the two groups. Their
findings appear in the journal Cortex.
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