CrowdScience listener Eileen can’t see images in her head of her memories. She only discovered by chance that most other people can do this. She wants to know why she can’t see them and if it’s something she can learn to do. 

Anand Jagatia finds out what mental images are for and whether scientists know why some people can’t create them. 

Three per cent of the world’s population can’t see mental images like Eileen. And it’s only recently been given a name – aphantasia. 

Anand discovers why mental images are useful, why they are sometimes traumatic and how people who are blind or visually impaired can also create images of the world around them. 

Contributors: 

Emily Holmes, professor of clinical psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden 
Adam Zeman, professor of cognitive and behavioural psychology, Exeter University, UK 
Joel Pearson, professor of cognitive neuroscience, University of New South Wales, Australia 
Paul Gabias, associate professor, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Canada 
Marijke Peters, Hannah Fisher and Jo Glanville, CrowdScience producers 

Presenter: Anand Jagatia 
Producer: Jo Glanville 
Editor: Richard Collings 
Production Co-ordinator: Jonathan Harris
Studio Manager: Jackie Margerum

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