The Mental Image and Aphantasia

Abstract

Most of us can see mental images. When we daydream, we rely on our memories to construct a scene. When reading a book, the language acts as a starting point to suggest a scene, which our minds elaborate upon based on our unique experience. Some people have a condition called aphantasia where they cannot see mental images. People with this condition have lived with it and found workarounds, and some may not even realize they have aphantasia. For future generations, children's books with connections to the web improve accessibility and tech knowledge, and could stimulate young minds to develop a creative mental image. But even without the ability to visualize, aphantasics can still be creative thinkers. A visual artist's original mental image may not perfectly match the resulting artwork, so it is safe to assume that mental image is not a requirement to make artistic work.