Mastodawn

A self-guided digital mental imagery program shows promise for lowering anxiety in university students by guiding participants to vividly imagine achieving personal goals, which reduces the urge to avoid stressful situations. The approach emphasizes multisensory imagery to build motivation for facing anxiety-provoking situations.

This article is of interest to psychology enthusiasts because it highlights a self-guided intervention that targets the cognitive and sensory processes linked to anxiety, offering accessible strategies that may complement traditional therapies and reduce barriers to treatment.

Article Title: Self-guided mental imagery training shows promise in reducing anxiety

Link to PsyPost Article: https://www.psypost dot org/self-guided-mental-imagery-training-shows-promise-in-reducing-anxiety/

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#MentalImagery #AnxietyReduction #DigitalInterventions #FunctionalImageryTraining #PsychologyResearch

Carolannie Feb 3

You may have to get a link to the article, but is is public

"And aphantasia might be more common in people in scientific and technical professions than in people with careers in the arts5.

Zeman and others say that aphantasia doesn’t seem to make much difference to behaviour, and although it might influence creativity, it by no means precludes it. Instead of calling it a disorder or condition, Zeman describes it as an “intriguing variation” — one extreme on a distribution of mental-imagery capabilities."
#Aphantasia #Neurodiversity #MentalImagery
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00311-7

Many people have no mental imagery. What’s going on in their brains?

People with aphantasia are offering a window into consciousness.

Anti-Mentalist Consciousness Dec 17

No equation precedes the pain. The body does not model the wound of the Other; it transduces it. No mental simulation is required when the self is not a mirror, but a conductor."

I’ve published a new research paper examining the structural dissociation between empathy, moral valuation, and simulation-based models of social cognition.

Open access on Zenodo: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17943145
#Empathy
#Aphantasia
#MentalImagery
#CognitiveScience
#PhilosophyOfMind
#Neuroscience

The Cult of "I"— On the Somatic Empathy of Altrudynia, Panmodal Aphantasia, and the Fallacy of Simulation Theory

Does empathy require imagination? Dominant psychological models insist that to feel for another, you must first mentally simulate their experience. This paper presents the existence proof that shatters that assumption. It introduces Altrudynia (from alter, "other," and dynia, "pain"): a constitutional empathic architecture characterized by the complete absence of mental imagery (Panmodal Aphantasia) coupled with catastrophic, direct somatic resonance with suffering. This work challenges the Simulation Theory of empathy by establishing a formal double dissociation. It argues that the capacity to represent a mind (mental imagery) and the capacity to value a mind (somatic care) are orthogonal. Through this lens, the paper explores a developmental trajectory of non-instantiation: Where there was no external mirror in the cradle, there is no internal mirror in the adult mind. The resulting architecture is one of "flesh without a buffer." The Altrudynic individual does not simulate the wound of the Other; their autonomic nervous system spontaneously transduces the signal into their body. Key Contributions: The Altrudynia Foundation: Defines a new taxonomical framework within the Aneurothymia Spectrum, distinguishing between the constitutional absence of empathy (psychopathy), the adaptive suppression of empathy (sociogenic mutilation), and the invariant persistence of empathy (Altrudynia). The Sociopathy & Trauma Confound: Critiques existing Aphantasia research for failing to screen for antisocial traits and trauma, thereby falsely attributing "low empathy" to the lack of mental imagery rather than to pathologies of valuation. The Cult of “I”: Contextualizes these neurotypes within a predatory social ecology—the Cult of I—that frames the suppression of empathy as "emotional intelligence" and pathologizes the inability to stop caring as "maladaptive." The Robot Imperative: Exposes the scientific rationalization of psychopathy, arguing that modern adaptationist models demand humans shut down their somatic resonance to function as efficient survival machines. Who is this research for? For Clinicians and Researchers: This paper offers a rigorous correction to the Simulation-Dependence paradigm and provides a new diagnostic lens for distinguishing between trauma-blunted affect and constitutional neurodivergence. For the "Catastrophically" Empathetic: This work is for those who experience resonance not as a choice or a calculated performance, but as a somatic fact. It is for the individual who has been labeled "overly sensitive" or "dysregulated" because they lack the psychological filters to mute the distress of the environment. This research validates the lived reality of those who do not view empathy as a moral trophy, but as an invariant biological exposure to the reality of the Other. Note Bene This work is part of a broader research continuum and is conceptually adjacent to two previously published works, including a research paper and a thesis, which are formally linked in the metadata.

Zenodo

Hacker News Oct 30

Some People Can't See Mental Images. The Consequences Are Profound

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/11/03/some-people-cant-see-mental-images-the-consequences-are-profound

#HackerNews #mentalimagery #cognitivepsychology #aphantasia #neuroscience #awareness

Some People Can’t See Mental Images. The Consequences Are Profound

Larissa MacFarquhar writes about the recent research into the neurodiverse syndromes known as aphantasia and hyperphantasia, their effects on our experience of trauma and memory, and the sense of identity that has grown up around them.

The New Yorker

Jukka 'Shrike' Kolehmainen Oct 13

Apparently I'm not aphantasic, but hypophantasic, depending on who is measuring (Aphantasy Network is stricter that others).
Hypophantasic, meaning I "experience some visual imagery, but it's less vivid or detailed than average. When you try to picture something, you might see faint or fleeting images." and I'd add, that they're often sort of "CAD-esque", in that defining elements of the memory are sharper. If I know specifics about the thing, it "sharpens" the blurry mental image.

#aphantasia #hypophantasia #memory #mentalimagery

https://aphantasia.com/study/vviq/

Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire - Aphantasia Research Study

Discover the vividness of your visual imagination.

Aphantasia Network

Show thread

Lupposofi Apr 3, 2025

@Brains Nanay's SEP-entry on Mental Imagery is also a good read and, more importantly, open-access, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mental-imagery/

#imagination #mental #imagery #mentalImagery #philosophyOfMind #philosophy #psychology

Mental Imagery (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Sam Schwarzkopf Feb 20, 2025

Here is a new, shorter version of our mental imagery survey. Please if you can spare a few minutes we would appreciate if you could take this & pass it along to others who might be interested. Thanks! tstbl.co/763-452
#neuroscience #visionscience #psychology #aphantasia #mentalimagery

Animated Short Of The Day Nov 30, 2024

Aphantasia (2024) [4 min] by Jox | #USA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cKEIIf9-08

#2D #2DAnimation #AnimatedShort #AnimatedShortOfTheDay #Animation #Aphantasia #Drawing #Difference #MentalImagery

Aphantasia | Animated Short Film

YouTube

Steve Dustcircle 🌹Sep 2, 2024

The #Science Behind #MentalImagery Hints At The Secret To #Athletic Success

https://www.inverse.com/science/what-is-mental-imagery-brain-researchers-explain

What is mental imagery? Brain researchers explain the pictures in your mind and why they’re useful

Mental imagery is the ability to visualize things and scenarios in your mind, without actual physical input.

Inverse

Inspirations of Love and Hope Jul 25, 2024

Lesson 15 of A Course in Miracles presents the lesson: “My thoughts are images that I have made.” This teaching invites us to recognize that our thoughts create the mental images and perceptions that shape our experience of reality. By acknowledging that our thoughts are not inherently true or real, we can begin to take responsibility for the images we hold in our minds.

This practice encourages us to examine the power of our thoughts in shaping our perception of ourselves and the world. By understanding that our thoughts are like images we have constructed, we can start to question their validity and choose thoughts that align with truth and love.

Jesus taught about the importance of purity of heart and the power of thoughts in shaping our lives. In Matthew 5:8, He says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” This teaching aligns with ACIM’s guidance to purify our thoughts and see beyond the illusions created by our own mental images.

By practicing Lesson 15, we align ourselves with Christ’s message of inner purity and clarity. We learn to release the false images and perceptions created by our thoughts and open ourselves to a deeper connection with the divine truth within us.

Explore Lesson 15 of A Course in Miracles with us, and discover how transforming your thoughts can lead to greater peace, clarity, and spiritual awakening.

Guided Meditation: Lesson 15 from A Course in Miracles

This guided meditation is tailored to encompass the elements, themes, messages, and practices of Lesson 15 from A Course in Miracles.

Find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down, where you can relax and be free from distractions.

Close your eyes gently and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to settle into the present moment.

Bring your attention to your breath, feeling the sensation of each inhale and exhale.

Reflect on the central theme of Lesson 15: “My thoughts are images that I have made.”

Contemplate the idea that your thoughts are not random occurrences, but rather creations of your own mind.

Acknowledge that the images you hold in your mind shape your perception of the world and influence your experiences.

With each breath, imagine releasing any attachment to the images you have made in your mind, allowing them to dissolve like clouds in the sky.

Visualize yourself stepping back from your thoughts, observing them with a sense of detachment and clarity.

Feel a sense of empowerment as you recognize that you have the power to choose the thoughts you entertain and the images you hold in your mind.

Repeat the following affirmations silently or in your mind:

“My thoughts are images that I have made.”

“I release all attachments to the images in my mind.”

“I choose to focus on thoughts that uplift and inspire me.”

Allow yourself to rest in this space of inner peace and clarity for a few moments, letting go of any attachment to the images in your mind.

When you’re ready, gently bring your awareness back to your surroundings. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and slowly open your eyes.

Take a moment to reflect on your experience, noticing any insights or shifts in perception that may have occurred.

Remember that you can return to this meditation whenever you feel called to deepen your understanding of Lesson 15.

https://richardsilverman108.wordpress.com/2024/07/25/lesson-15-of-a-course-in-miracles-acim-guided-meditation-my-thoughts-are-images-that-i-have-made/

#ACourseInMiracles #ACIM #Clarity #empowerment #GuidedMeditation #InnerPeace #inspirationalThoughts #Lesson15 #MeditationPractice #mentalImagery #mindPower #mindfulness #Perception #personalDevelopment #SelfAwareness #spiritualGrowth #SpiritualPractice #thoughtCreation #thoughtsAsImages #upliftingThoughts

Lesson 15 of A Course in Miracles (ACIM): Guided Meditation – “My thoughts are images that I have made.”

In Lesson 15 of A Course in Miracles, we explore the theme “My thoughts are images that I have made.” This meditation invites you to reflect on how your thoughts are creations of your m…

Inspirations of Love and Hope