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What is the relationship between Aphantasia, Synaesthesia and Autism?
C J Dance1, M Jaquiery2, D M Eagleman3
1School of Psychology, University of Sussex, BN1 9QJ, UK.
Consciousness and Cognition
|February 6, 2021
Summary
People with aphantasia can experience synaesthesia, though it may differ in type. Aphantasics also report more autistic traits, particularly in imagination and social skills.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Aphantasia is characterized by absent or impaired visual imagery.
- Neurodevelopmental conditions like synaesthesia and autism are also associated with imagery differences.
- Investigating co-occurrence can elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if aphantasia and synaesthesia can co-occur.
- To examine the relationship between aphantasia and autistic traits.
- To understand how aphantasia influences the experience of synaesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1a and 1b: Objective diagnosis of grapheme-colour synaesthesia in individuals with aphantasia.
- Experiment 2: Assessment of autistic traits in individuals with aphantasia compared to controls using self-report measures.
Main Results:
- Synaesthesia can be objectively diagnosed in individuals with aphantasia, indicating visual imagery is not a prerequisite.
- Aphantasia influences synaesthesia type, favoring associator over projector experiences.
- Individuals with aphantasia report higher levels of autistic traits, including deficits in imagination and social skills.
Conclusions:
- Visual imagery is not essential for the occurrence of synaesthesia.
- Aphantasia shares commonalities with autism, particularly in terms of imagination and social cognition.
- These findings contribute to understanding the spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions and their relationship to imagery.
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