Scientists Say: Aphantasia
Not everyone can ‘see’ images in their minds. Those that can’t can still imagine things in other ways
People with aphantasia may process information through words (left) rather than mental images (right).
Camila Hikaru/Shiro Studio, UoaHH, Grafinka, Napa Images/Canva Teams; L. Steenblik Hwang
Aphantasia (noun, “Ay-fan-TAYZ-yah”)
Aphantasia is a condition where people do not visualize, or “see,” images in their minds. Instead, they think using words, numbers or ideas.
Aphantasia is not a disability. It’s just a different way of processing information and recalling memories. About 4 percent of people have this uncommon way of thinking.
Close your eyes and imagine a fluffy cat. What color is the cat? What is the cat doing? When asked such questions, many people’s minds will conjure up a lifelike image. But those with aphantasia do not. People with aphantasia know they are thinking of a cat. They can even describe what a cat generally looks like. But they do so without using a mental image.
Aphantasia can also affect how someone recalls memories. People with aphantasia don’t remember all the specific visual details that someone without this trait would. They tend to think about things more conceptually, or as abstract ideas.
This trait may even extend to other senses besides vision. For example, a person with aphantasia may be unable to imagine hearing sounds. But this doesn’t stop them from recognizing them.
Now imagine you’re eating a chocolate chip cookie. Most people don’t actually taste the flavor of a cookie in their mouth. But they know what traits make a chocolate chip cookie taste like one. For people with aphantasia, that might be how they ‘visualize’ things — with traits and properties.
American biologist Craig Venter led the team that first sequenced the human genome. He credits his scientific achievements in part to his aphantasia. He believes it helps him think about complex information in unique ways and develop novel solutions.
Some very creative people also have this trait. Ed Catmull — co-founder of Pixar — has aphantasia.
In a sentence
Brain scans show that people with aphantasia respond differently to sounds than people who use mental imagery.
