Mental Imagery and Aphantasia Research Group

Research into aphantasia – exceptionally weak or absent visual mental imagery

Can you see images in your head?

People differ in their capacity to visualise, from those who can create vivid and detailed images in their mind, to those who cannot see anything at all (also known as “aphantasia”). This is called the mental imagery spectrum, and it reflects the diversity of human cognition.
We are actively looking for participants to help us with our study on mental imagery.
No matter your level of visual imagery, by participating in our scientific research, you will help us discover new knowledge about how variation in mental imagery relates to the richness of human experience.
Join us today and help us explore the fascinating world of mental imagery!

Example research projects we are conducting

 
Psychology image - study type (clouds)
Psychology image - study type (maze)
Psychology image - study type (variation)
Brainwaves in visual and verbal thought
Can we detect differences in brain signals during visual and verbal thinking? Using small sensors on the scalp to measure the brain's electrical signals, this project involves imagining simple shapes and objects either visually or verbally to understand how these neural processes may differ between aphants and visualisers.
Thinking about vs. imagining the future
Remembering the past and anticipating the future plays an important role daily life, influencing how we feel, make judgments and decisions, and navigate the world around us. This project involves lab and online studies that aim to understand how verbal thinking compares to visual thinking in relation to the past and future.
Variation in wellbeing and thinking style
Our internal mental life influences our mental wellbeing. This project aims to understand how variation in mental wellbeing relates to variation in visual and verbal thinking style, and involves lab and online studies that focus on different facets of psychological and behavioural health.
We value your time and effort, and our research studies involve participant compensation.
The amount and method of reimbursement is study specific, and the details will be provided in the study information sheet.