Eli5 – How does the “inner eye” work?

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I have aphantasia, a mental disorder where I lack all internal visualization. I cannot “picture” things in my mind, I think in words and numbers and such. With this, I am very curious how the mental imagery works for the rest of you. Do you see it separate from your main vision? Does it get interposed? Is it like picture in picture? I’m baffled!

TIA.

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Anonymous 0 Comments

There is actually a scale & quiz for this:

[https://aphantasia.com/study/vviq/#:~:text=The%20rating%20scale%20is%20as,Moderately%20realistic%20and%20vivid](https://aphantasia.com/study/vviq/#:~:text=The%20rating%20scale%20is%20as,Moderately%20realistic%20and%20vivid)

*For each scenario try to form a mental picture of the people, objects, or setting. Rate how vivid the image is using the 5-point scale. If you do not have a visual image, rate vividness as ‘1’. Only use ‘5’ for images that are as lively and vivid as real seeing. The rating scale is as follows:*

*1 No image at all, I only “know” I am thinking of the object*

*2 Dim and vague image*

*3 Moderately realistic and vivid*

*4 Realistic and reasonably vivid*

*5 Perfectly realistic, as vivid as real seeing*

The example I was given when first explained was – Imagine a sunset.

2 might be the equivalent of a child’s drawing. 3 might be an impressionist painting – it is “real and identifiable” but not photo realistic. 4 is a good painting but it is a painting – you know it isn’t real but 5 is true photorealism.

I am 3-4 but also it FEELS real

If you want a description of how it feels – it is like having a tv screen sort of inside your head sort of.

Equally there is the other oddity of the inner monologue – some people think by talking to themselves inside their heads but other people don’t. Do you? https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/internal-monologue

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