Vividness of mental imagery reflects a broad range of internally generated visual experiences
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) October 2, 2025 D. Samuel Schwarzkopf, Xinran A Yu, Ecem Altan et al. preprint
Vividness ratings, though lacking an objective reference, are a robust measure of mental visual imagery. They explain individual differences in subjective experiences such as the detail of mental imagery, the propensity for internally generated visual experiences, and the vividness of visual dreams. Simple vividness ratings can replace longer questionnaires, reducing methodological issues. Vividness is closely linked to the experience of seeing mental images or projecting them externally; people who report seeing mental images with eyes shut are more likely to experience externally projected imagery. However, many people report having mental depictions without seeing. The results suggest redefining visual aphantasia to distinguish those with faint or unseen images from those completely lacking pictorial representation.