Update Feb 2025: There is now a dedicated space for this type of discussion off of my poetry blog and over over at: mentalimageryresistance.co.uk
Hopefully this clarified advocacy paper makes more sense to people than my ramblings here: Locating Unifying Language: Multiple Intelligences, Mental Sensory Perception, and Mental Imagery.
For the Record: I am no authority on this 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.
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.
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