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Close your eyes and imagine an apple. Imagine its round shape, red color, smooth shiny skin. Can you create a clear mental image for yourself? Or does such a visualization seem impossible to you? Research shows that visual imagination abilities can vary greatly from person to person.
“We are very different in visualization abilities, and this is due to the way the brain works,” says Adam Zeman, professor of cognitive and behavioral neuroscience.
Zeman and colleagues are trying to find out why 1-3% of the population is not capable of visualization at all (this phenomenon is called aphantasy), while for some, this skill, on the contrary, is too well developed (hyperfantasy).
A team of researchers led by Zeman used fMRI (a type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that measures neural activity in the brain or spinal cord) to study the brain function of 24 subjects with aphantasy, 25 with hyperfantasy, and 20 with average abilities. to visualization (control group).
What causes aphantasy and hyperfantasy?
In the first experiment, in which participants were asked to simply relax and not think about anything in particular during brain scans, scientists found that people with hyperfantasy had a stronger connection between the brain area responsible for vision and the frontal area responsible for attention and making decisions.
At the same time, all participants showed approximately the same results in conventional memory tests, but people with hyperfantasy gave more detailed descriptions of imaginary scenes and remembered events from the past better.
Meanwhile, participants with aphantasy performed the worst on the facial recognition test. It also turned out that there were more introverts among them, and extroverts in the hyperfantasy group.
Zeman is confident that his research will help shed light on the differences between people that we often feel intuitively, but cannot explain in words.
What are the benefits of being able to visualize?
“Research shows how important our visual imagination is. The practice of mindfulness and the training of «inner vision» help to improve the quality of life. People with good visualization abilities often benefit more from psychotherapy.
They are able to recall events from the past (including traumatic ones) in great detail and detail, and this greatly contributes to the recovery from traumas and neuroses. They are also usually better at expressing their thoughts and feelings,” explains psychologist Deborah Serani.
“People with hyperfantasy do remember events from the past better and are more able to imagine scenarios from the future. They tend to choose creative professions for themselves. But there are also disadvantages, for example, because of a bright and rich imagination, they are more vulnerable to negative emotions, they can be more impulsive, prone to various addictions, ”Zeman notes.
The ability to visualize can be developed
“It cannot be said that people with aphantasy are unimaginative. Visualization is just one of its many manifestations. In addition, the ability to visualize can be developed. Yoga, mindfulness practices and meditation can help with this,” says Adam Zeman.