A new study reveals that aphantasics, individuals unable to visualize, are more resistant to intrusive visual thoughts, such as imagining a pink elephant. People with vivid visual imaginations often struggle with intrusive imagery, while aphantasics redirect their thoughts to other mental processes.
This finding suggests that aphantasia is part of the natural diversity of human minds, offering strengths like reduced susceptibility to intrusive imagery and different ways of navigating thoughts. The study highlights that mental imagery is not universal, but rather unique to each individual.
Research suggests that some people, including those with aphantasia, can block involuntary visual thoughts from their minds. This challenges the common assumption that mental imagery is an innate ability, instead revealing diverse cognitive processes.
Aphantasics may experience mind-wandering, often characterized by sensations of texture and movement, rather than visualization. However, it’s unclear if they’re resistant to trauma or reliving events. Further research is needed to explore this further.
The study’s findings contradict a common quote from Curt Siodmak’s novel City in the Sky: “Don’t think of a pink elephant.” Instead, some people with aphantasia can indeed suppress visual thoughts, turning their minds to other matters like what’s for dinner.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/visual-silence-aphantasia-28249