Perception
Is a blind mind's eye also a deaf mind's ear?
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
People who lack visual mental imagery are highly likely to also lack auditory mental imagery, a state termed anauralia.
Key findings
The correlation between visual and auditory imagery was strong, with a Spearman's rho value of 0.832. Out of 34 participants classified as having aphantasia, 82% also experienced anauralia, while 97% of the 29 participants with anauralia were also classified as having aphantasia.
Methodology
Potential participants were recruited through multiple avenues, resulting in a total sample size of 128 individuals who completed the survey. The participants completed questionnaires to assess their sensory imagery, evaluating both visual and auditory domains.
Limitations
Because the researchers recruited heavily from online aphantasia support communities, the results may not generalize to the wider public. Additionally, the study relies entirely on self-report surveys, which cannot objectively measure mental experiences. The correlational design also cannot establish whether lacking visual imagery causes a lack of auditory imagery, or if both are caused by a separate factor.
How this study connects
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