Hidden Differences: Aphantasia, Synesthesia, Inner Speech with Gary Lupyan

Discover some of the hidden differences that shape human behavior with professor Gary Lupyan, as he joins the Aphantasia Network to shed light on the fascinating world beyond what meets the eye. This interview explores the hidden differences in people’s subjective experiences that are often overlooked, such as the variations in visual imagery and aphantasia, synesthesia, auditory imagery, inner speech, and more.
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Gary Lupyan is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studies the effects of language on cognition and perception, as well as the evolution of language. Over the past several years, he has been working on understanding what differences in subjective experience, including imagery and inner speech, can tell us about the unity and diversity of human cognition.
Lupyan, G., Uchiyama, R., Thompson, B., & Casasanto, D. (2023). Hidden differences in phenomenal experience. Cognitive Science, 47(1), e13239. doi:10.1111/cogs.13239

[@StarNanny]

I saw the dress as pale blue and gold, but the blue could be white-in-shadow. The audible file I heard as yanny. My immediate thought is to investigate both digital files to ascertain if there is a built in device/program bias causing the differences experienced. I would need them presented in person to agree the differences are of perception. (Yes😂 I’m a suspicious witch.)

[@gabriellalaplace]

I have multisensory aphantasia and an internal monologue

[@heatherstorms1827]

This was so interesting, thank you!

[@AphantasiaNetwork]

You're welcome! We're glad you found it interesting!

[@jsksfamily]

I saw the dress as blue and tan/gold. I heard Yammy in the audio clip.

[@SylvainDuford]

I discovered that I have Aphantasia 2 years ago, shortly after turning 61. I can see very faint images of very strong memories, like traumatic events. But I am basically completely without images. I can hear sounds in my head, not very clearly. I have a strong internal dialogue.

[@AphantasiaNetwork]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's fascinating how diverse the spectrum of internal experience can be. Some people have no imagery at all, while others, like you, might have faint images tied to strong memories. Some can only conjure these faint recollections "involuntarily," meaning without conscious control. It's interesting you describe a strong internal dialogue. We're currently conducting some preliminary research into inner speech and imagery extremes. Is there a link or if, in the absence of visual imagery, internal dialogue might be heightened? If you're interested in participating to help us better understand the potential relationship, you can check it out here > aphantasia.com/study/inner-speech/

[@CharlieSchluting]

Hi Tom! Can you please post a link to the paper on hidden differences that was mentioned? Thanks :)

[@AphantasiaNetwork]

Here you go! Lupyan, G., Uchiyama, R., Thompson, B., & Casasanto, D. (2023). Hidden differences in phenomenal experience. Cognitive Science, 47(1), e13239. doi:10.1111/cogs.13239

[@gabriellalaplace]

Golden brown and white

[@shadow-wulf]

Gold and white. And Laurel

[@Theleaddog]

No! We don’t want them to feel sympathy. We want them to feel empathy for us! Empathy is putting self in our shoes. Sympathy is a loss. Sorry for a loss.

[@thefarmerswifeknits6190]

Blue and dark gray dress and I hear laurel.

[@gabriellalaplace]

Almost sounds like Yanny

[@xaisthoj]

Blue-black dress and Yanny