Anauralia and aphantasia: Prevalence and distinct associations with personality, well-being and self-regulation in a...

Prevalence rates and psychological correlates of anauralia (absence of auditory imagery) and aphantasia were examined in a large and representative sample (N = 32,784), by presenting two questions about sensory imagery in the 13th wave of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS). The single auditory and visual items employed showed excellent concordance with multi-item imagery questionnaires (Plymouth Sensory Imagery Questionnaire, VVIQ) and revealed closely similar prevalence rates for anauralia and aphantasia (.8%), with the latter showing excellent agreement with earlier estimates of aphantasia prevalence. Importantly, anauralia and aphantasia were associated with distinct psychological profiles. Anauralia, but not aphantasia, was associated with higher conscientiousness and contrary to our initial hypothesis anauralics reported better self-control, including superior control of health-related behaviours compared with individuals who experience typical auditory imagery. Aphantasics, but not anauralics, reported: higher levels of perfectionism and psychological distress; poorer wellbeing; lower self-esteem; and stronger feelings of being an outsider compared to participants reporting typical visual imagery. The latter comparisons of anauralic and aphantasic participants with those reporting typical imagery were highly reliable but relatively small in size (Glass's delta = .2 - .3). Contrary to hypothesis, individual differences in auditory imagery were unrelated to religious beliefs or frequency of praying. Implications of these findings are discussed.