Dr. Adam Zeman is a pioneering figure in the study of aphantasia, the inability to produce mental imagery. In a recent discussion with him, I explored the evolving understanding of this fascinating condition, its terminology, and the spectrum of experiences associated with it.
Dr. Zeman defines aphantasia as the lack of mental imagery. Initially, this definition referred solely to visual imagery (or what might be termed visual aphantasia). Over time, the term has broadened to encompass deficits across multiple sensory modalities, forming what is now referred to as multisensory aphantasia. This includes conditions such as auditory aphantasia (the inability to imagine sounds), tactile aphantasia (a lack of imagined touch), and emotional aphantasia (the absence or reduction of emotional imagery). While we didn’t discuss all the possible senses, I mentioned I am aware that researchers are currently investigating up to 20 modalities. This number wasn’t confirmed during our discussion, but it highlighted the vast complexity of mental sensory perception, and we went on to discuss some of those modalities.
The concept of emotional aphantasia was of particular interest during our conversation. This aligns closely with what I term 'alexithymia' or a lack of 'yedasentience', in my personal framework—a diminished or absent capacity to sense emotions (this is the definition as per the key and not outside it, adopted prior to the term emotional aphantasia being coined). In contrast, I experience what I called 'hyperempathy' or emotional hyperphantasia, a type of yedasentience, which is a heightened sensitivity to emotional or feeling experiences. Dr. Zeman referred to this as hyperemotional imagery and found my perspective intriguing. He noted that he had not previously encountered descriptions like mine and expressed interest in the language I have developed to articulate these experiences. His description allowed me to see how they are developing the language for aphantasia (and this does fit into the key and will be something I rework to make use of the new terminology, now I have a better understanding of their perspective. This is a positive step in locating adequate language to describe senses I possess).
This exchange was enlightening and helped clarify some of the frustrations I’ve felt around the current terminology, in which I know I am not alone. The language surrounding aphantasia, while still evolving, is necessarily loose as researchers work to refine definitions and classifications. This ongoing refinement is crucial for accurately capturing not only deficits but also strengths. For those like me, who struggle with the limits of the existing framework, gaining insight into the scientific process behind these terms is reassuring and validating.
One main point we discussed was the tension between simplicity and precision in language. Early researchers deliberately avoided introducing too many new terms to keep the concept accessible, particularly as the condition gained broader recognition. However, as the field advances, it’s becoming evident that a more nuanced lexicon will be essential to fully encompass the spectrum of mental sensory phenomena. Dr. Zeman mentioned terms like dysikonesia, proposed by a colleague, as an example of how this gap is starting to be addressed.
We also discussed the personal tools I’ve developed to better communicate my sensory experiences, such as the key I created to describe both what I lack and what I have. For instance, while I lack visual imagery and auditory imagery, I rely heavily on tactile imagery and my 'knowing' sense, what I call a type of 'yedacognizance'. We discussed how I developed the language and the meaning of the definitions briefly. Dr. Zeman connected this 'knowing' sense to his emerging work on cognitive 'intelligence' in those with aphantasia. He expressed interest in revisiting my framework, as it may offer valuable insights into how individuals navigate and articulate their sensory landscapes. He recognized the need for language that goes beyond just describing the lack of the main five senses.
Our discussion also touched on Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory (SDAM), which Dr. Zeman sees as a separate phenomenon that can overlap with aphantasia. Time and further research will undoubtedly deepen our understanding of how these conditions interact and diverge.
- University of Exeter - The Mind's Eye
- The Key: A Proposed Framework
- The Key: A Visual Guide
- Sense List and References
For the record: I am no authority on the matter. I am an independent researcher and advocate for more clarity in the language and definitions used in mental imagery research. Raising awareness of the need for more research into what those with multisensory aphantasia possess.
Exploring Human Senses and Mental Imagery Deficits:
ReplyDeleteHuman sensory perception extends beyond the traditional five senses, including balance, body position, pain, and temperature. Mental imagery, the ability to recreate sensory experiences, can be disrupted in conditions like multisensory aphantasia, which affects imagining:
Visual Imagery: Difficulty visualizing images, such as a loved one's face or a beach
Auditory Imagery: Difficulty imagining sounds, such as a song or voice (anauralia)
Tactile Imagery: Difficulty imagining tactile sensations, such as the feel of sand or velvet
Olfactory Imagery: Difficulty imagining smells, such as the scent of rain or coffee
Gustatory Imagery: Difficulty imagining tastes, such as the flavor of a favorite food
Emerging research is identifying additional mental senses and their deficits, such as:
Intuitive Imagery (Yedacognizance): The sense of instinctive knowing or “aha” moments. "Yeda" being the Hebrew word for "to know".
Emotional Imagery (Yedasentience): Imagining emotions; deficits are linked to emotional aphantasia.
Intraphonic Imagery (Inner Voice): Hearing one’s inner voice; a lack is termed anendophasia. What I term Yedaintraphonation.
Spatial Imagery: Imagining the sense of shape and space, what I term Yedaspatial.
Motor Imagery: Imagining body movement, with deficits linked to what I term Yedaproprioception.
Introspective Imagery: Imagining internal states like hunger or heartbeat. What I term Yedaintrospection.
Temporal Imagery: Imagining the sense of time. What I term Yedachronoception.
These mental senses can all range from being considered: aphantasia or hypophantasia to phantasia or hyperphantasia. I speculate additional senses like mental nociception (pain), thermoception (temperature), what I might term Yedanoiception and Yedathermoception are also part of that list. Dreaming (Yedaoneiro) may also play a key role.
Highly Sensitive Persons - Unique Sensory and Emotional Traits:
With regards to hyperemotional imagery, Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs), comprising 30% of the population demonstrate heightened sensory and emotional responsiveness, with a 50:50 divide between the sexes. Studies link HSP traits to increased stress and empathy, suggesting their potential to foster supportive and creative environments. Recognizing HSPs highlights the importance of diverse sensory and emotional capabilities in personal and professional contexts.
The Mental Sense of Dreaming:
Dreaming, which I have termed Yedaoneiro ("to know dreams") is a concept that captures the ability to visualize and emotionally engage with dream imagery. Conditions like Charcot-Wilbrand Syndrome, where individuals lose the capacity for dream imagery, underscore its significance. My temporary terminology helps frame this sense as an integral part of our mental and sensory experience, with intriguing connections to altered states of consciousness, meditative practices, and near-death experiences.