January 2010 PMID 19733188

Loss of imagery phenomenology with intact visuo-spatial task performance: a case of 'blind imagination'.

Adam Z J Zeman, Sergio Della Sala, Lorna A Torrens, Viktoria-Eleni Gountouna, David J McGonigle, Robert H Logie

Mentions

21
Peak: 1 in Aug 2019
across 5 sources since Aug 2019

Extended reach

372,514
potential audience

Total likes

12,001

Video views

369,849

Mentions per month

Aug 2019 – Sep 2024

Where it's discussed

  • News14 articles
  • X / Twitter3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions highlight the remarkable dissociation between visual task performance and subjective imagery, with examples like mentions that the case of MX demonstrates successful task execution despite reports of 'blind imagination.' The tone combines curiosity and scientific inquiry, with users examining the implications of the study for understanding consciousness and cognitive strategies, reflecting a high level of engagement and interest.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussions recognize the significance of the publication, with some explicitly supporting the idea that performance on visual tasks can occur without subjective imagery, indicating general agreement with the study’s findings.

InterestHigh interest

The topic captures high interest due to its challenging of traditional views on visual imagery and consciousness, which is reflected in the curiosity and curiosity-driven remarks from participants.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants actively analyze the case, referencing cognitive strategies and contrasting subjective experiences with brain activity, demonstrating deep engagement with the research details.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussions underline the importance of the study in understanding visual phenomenology, the perceived real-world impact appears moderate, inspiring further research rather than direct applications.

Abstract in brief

  • The case of patient MX shows that it is possible to perform well on visual perception and memory tasks even when the individual reports almost no visual imagery experience, suggesting a dissociation between actual performance and the subjective experience of imagery.
  • Functional MRI results indicate that while MX's brain activity in visual recognition regions remains normal, she shows decreased activity in posterior brain areas responsible for visualization and increased activity in frontal regions, implying she used an alternative cognitive strategy for imagery tasks.
  • Overall, this case demonstrates that the ability to perform visual imagery and memory tasks does not necessarily depend on the conscious, phenomenological experience of imaging, highlighting a potential separation between brain function and subjective imagery experience.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
アファンタジアネットワーク
@aphantasia_jp · X

#アファンタジア は、2015年に初めて名付けられました。エクセター大学(イギリス)の神経科医であるアダム・ゼマン博士は、患者MXの愛称で知られている、イメージすることができなくなった患者を受け入れました。MXは手術を受けた後、心の眼が見えなくなったのです。 https://t.co/j3juah8YaN

Feb 5, 2024 · 2 likes · 61 followers View post →
Fatima Maria Felisberti
@ffelisberti · X

Loss of imagery phenomenology with intact visuo-spatial task performance: a case of 'blind imagination'. "...successful performance in visual imagery and visual memory tasks can be dissociated from the phenomenal experience of visual imagery". https://t.co/XGhTM3iau7 https://t.co/GwLLDI7oq5

Jun 24, 2021 · 1 like · 1,885 followers View post →

All mentions

Darrell Rowbottom
@rowbott1 · X

@XY1748_chess Also, I didn’t mean to suggest it was a cognitive style but that some with aphantasia can accomplish tasks that others use visualisation for by different means. See: Loss of imagery phenomenology with intact visuo-spatial task performance: a case of ‘blind imagination’.

Jul 5, 2024 · 560 followers View post →
アファンタジアネットワーク
@aphantasia_jp · X

#アファンタジア は、2015年に初めて名付けられました。エクセター大学(イギリス)の神経科医であるアダム・ゼマン博士は、患者MXの愛称で知られている、イメージすることができなくなった患者を受け入れました。MXは手術を受けた後、心の眼が見えなくなったのです。 https://t.co/j3juah8YaN

Feb 5, 2024 · 2 likes · 61 followers View post →
Fatima Maria Felisberti
@ffelisberti · X

Loss of imagery phenomenology with intact visuo-spatial task performance: a case of 'blind imagination'. "...successful performance in visual imagery and visual memory tasks can be dissociated from the phenomenal experience of visual imagery". https://t.co/XGhTM3iau7 https://t.co/GwLLDI7oq5

Jun 24, 2021 · 1 like · 1,885 followers View post →
Godisnjak 17 | PDF
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imagerie mentale – Réalités Biomédicales
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... 10.1016/j.cortex.2015.08.015. Zeman A, Dewar M, Della Sala S. Lives without ... Neuropsychologia. 2010 Jan;48(1):145-55. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia ...

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Neuropsychologia, 48(1), 145-155. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.08.024. More references. Share on Facebook Share · Share on X ...

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Sudden Aphantasia : r/Aphantasia
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