The reference material doesn't directly answer whether blind people "see" memories in a visual sense. However, it suggests that blind people access and recall memories in ways that can be influenced by sensory cues, similar to sighted individuals.
Here's a breakdown:
- Sensory Cues and Memory Retrieval: The research indicates that sensory cues like odors can trigger early childhood memories in both blind and sighted individuals.
- Auditory Cues and Memory Retrieval: Similarly, auditory cues like environmental sounds can evoke memories from adolescence (ages 11-20) in both groups.
- Lack of Visual Memory Specifics: The provided information focuses on how different sensory cues affect which memories are accessed, rather than exploring the specific nature of those memories (e.g., whether they are visual, auditory, or olfactory).
Inference:
While the reference doesn't state that blind individuals have visual memories they "see," it strongly implies that their memories are shaped by sensory experiences, and that these memories can be effectively triggered by relevant cues. It is likely that early blind individuals, who have never had sight, would not have visual memories in the same way sighted people do. Their memories are likely formed from their other senses.
