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Can you see/imagine pictures in your head when your reading?

Apparently some people can't see/imagine pictures in their heads minds when reading?

Apparently its called aphantasia - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34039054

Can you see/form/imagine a picture when reading? :smile:

I can up to a point imagine things when reading descriptive text in say a fantasy book, but the image I' imagining can be a bit faint/blurry depending on how in depth the description is.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 1

fiftythree

Original post by Chronoscope

Apparently some people can't see/imagine pictures in their heads minds when reading?

Can you see/form/imagine a picture when reading? :smile:

I can up to a point imagine things when reading descriptive text in say a fantasy book, but the image I' imagining can be a bit faint/blurry depending on how in depth the description is.

nope

Reply 2

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by fiftythree

nope

Interesting - so lets say you were reading a descriptive piece about a forest you'd only see the words? :tongue:

Reply 3

watershower

Yes, only when I’m reading fiction though. Non fiction or articles is no. I can’t imagine people running around from a fire because I don’t expect my brain to make that up? It’s real life so my brain is like, no, don’t imagine that. (That made no sense but I said it anyways).
What i can do no matter what though, is imagine music videos to songs.

Reply 4

Bio 7

I picture things when reading. If you don't then the story won't come alive.

Reply 5

Dee-Emma

Yes. Virtually always slip straight through to an immersive experience. Makes it difficult to analyse writing as I can be un-aware as to the technical aspects of the writing. Also makes me very selective as to subject matter... there's limits to what I want to put in my virtual universe.

Reply 6

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by watershower

Thats an interesting way with the music videos to songs
:undefined:

five with not being able to picture non fiction stuff (its easier if I've seen the object in real life though I think)

Original post by Bio 7

I picture things when reading. If you don't then the story won't come alive.

When you imagine things is the picture quite detailed / clear? Mines quite fuzzy when I imagine things whilst reading :dontknow:

Original post by Dee-Emma

Hmm that's interesting thing you bring up analysing creative writing :smile:

like the best thing is with books and imagining what it could look like it you can create a room for example in a way that makes sense by an individual.

Reply 7

Bio 7

Original post by Chronoscope

Hmm that's interesting thing you bring up analysing creative writing :smile:

like the best thing is with books and imagining what it could look like it you can create a room for example in a way that makes sense by an individual.

It depends. Sometimes it's clear and the next time I read it it's the same and sometimes I just have a sense of it. I tend not to imagine faces so much in shorter stories but a long series I can.

Reply 8

not_XIX_forever

Depends if I am reading for meaning or reading for pleasure

yep

Not always. I have a mate that has aphantasia, actually, he can't see them ever

Reply 11

username5189460

Original post by Chronoscope

Apparently some people can't see/imagine pictures in their heads minds when reading?

Can you see/form/imagine a picture when reading? :smile:

I can up to a point imagine things when reading descriptive text in say a fantasy book, but the image I' imagining can be a bit faint/blurry depending on how in depth the description is.

i would love to have that for reading revision notes before an exam!!

But isn't it called your imagination?
:smile:

Reply 12

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by kittyfifi123456

i would love to have that for reading revision notes before an exam!!

But isn't it called your imagination?
:smile:

I know there's one called Photogenic memory which can help people remember really detailed stuff
Yeah it does sound dead useful ~~wish I had one~~ :lol:

Had a quick research and the one where you can see images in your mind is something called ' aphantasia' :tongue:

Spoiler

Reply 13

username5189460

Original post by Chronoscope

I know there's one called Photogenic memory which can help people remember really detailed stuff
Yeah it does sound dead useful ~~wish I had one~~ :lol:

Had a quick research and the one where you can see images in your mind is something called ' aphantasia' :tongue:

Spoiler

Wow that article was cool!!
wish i had it ...

oh yeah! - i was wondering if you had any really good vocabulary that i can use for my descriptive writing as I am running out of ideas...
:smile:

Reply 14

Chronoscope

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by gjd800

Not always. I have a mate that has aphantasia, actually, he can't see them ever

Some people in my class have it too :tongue:

The mind is a curious thing :yes:

Original post by Glaz

yep

five

Reply 15

username5189460

Original post by Chronoscope

Some people in my class have it too :tongue:

The mind is a curious thing :yes:

five

you should do psychology...

Reply 16

gjd800

Original post by Chronoscope

Some people in my class have it too :tongue:

The mind is a curious thing :yes:

five

Yeah, he doesn't get 'earworms' either. He can go through a song's lyrics in his head but doesn't experience the music or rhythm etc. It's mad.

Reply 17

Alesha1991

Yes, it really depends on the description though. Sometimes I'll get a clear, detailed image of what I'm reading, other times it can be more of a vague impression.