AUTHOR=Wright David J. , Scott Matthew W. , Kraeutner Sarah N. , Barhoun Pamela , Bertollo Maurizio , Campbell Mark J. , Waltzing Baptiste M. , Dahm Stephan F. , Esselaar Maaike , Frank Cornelia , Hardwick Robert M. , Fuelscher Ian , Marshall Ben , Hodges Nicola J. , Hyde Christian , Holmes Paul S. TITLE=An international estimate of the prevalence of differing visual imagery abilities JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=15 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1454107 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1454107 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=

The aim of this research was to establish prevalence estimates for aphantasia, hypophantasia, typical imagery ability, and hyperphantasia in a large multi-national cohort. In Study 1, the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire was completed by 3,049 participants. Results indicated prevalence estimates of 1.2% for aphantasia, 3% for hypophantasia, 89.9% for typical imagery ability, and 5.9% for hyperphantasia. In Study 2, to replicate these findings in a larger sample, the Study 1 data were combined with openly available data from previous prevalence studies to create a total sample of 9,063 participants. Re-analysis of this data confirmed prevalence estimates of 0.9% for aphantasia, 3.3% for hypophantasia, 89.7% for typical imagery ability, and 6.1% for hyperphantasia. These robust and up-to-date estimates provide enhanced clarity to researchers regarding the prevalence of differing visual imagery abilities and provide a platform for future studies exploring the role of visual imagery in various cognitive and behavioral tasks.