Description

A multidisciplinary exploration of the relationships between linguistic-colour synaesthesia and various dimensions of individual differences in human cognition. Whereas most people understand 'a warm colour' as a metaphor, synaesthetes really experience the joining sensations. What is common to all of us and what is unique to synaesthetes? Are we all synaesthetes to some degree? This book explores the relationships between synaesthesia and other dimensions of individual differences. Whereas most people understand 'a warm colour' as a metaphor, synaesthetes really experience the joining sensations. What is common to all of us and what is unique to synaesthetes? Are we all synaesthetes to some degree? This book explores the relationships between synaesthesia and other dimensions of individual differences. Synaesthesia is a fascinating cognitive phenomenon where one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another. For example, synaesthetes might perceive colours when listening to music, or tastes in the mouth when reading words. This book provides an insight into the idiosyncratic nature of synaesthesia by exploring its relationships with other dimensions of individual differences. Many characteristics of linguistic-colour synaesthetes are covered including personality, temperament, intelligence, creativity, emotionality, attention, memory, imagination, colour perception, body lateralization and gender. Aleksandra Rogowska proposes that linguistic-colour synaesthesia can be considered as an abstract form of a continuous variable in the broader context of cross- and intra-modal associations. There has been a resurgence of interest in synaesthesia and this book will appeal to students and scientists of psychology, cognitive science and social science, and to those who are fascinated by unusual states of mind. Introduction: is synaesthesia normal?; 1. Exploring the structure and distribution of linguistic-colour associations in the concrete-abstract and strong-weak dimensions; 2. Reconciling objective and subjective assessments of linguistic-colour associations: exploring the relationships between linguistic-colour synaesthesia and self-related sensing, body lateralization and gender; 3. Cognitive determinants of linguistic-colour associations; 4. Relationships between linguistic-colour synaesthesia and individual differences in absorption, creative thinking, types of mind and intelligence; 5. Exploring the relationships between linguistic-colour associations and self-reported traits of personality and temperament; General conclusions; Appendices. 'A deep and thorough scrutiny of linguistic-colour synaesthesia which really does make for a fascinating read. I am an expert on the topic of synaesthesia and I learned a great deal!' Peter Grossenbacher, Director, Consciousness Laboratory, Naropa University 'This unassuming book is only understated on the outside; packed between the covers is a wealth of information, both compilations of previous research and new findings. Aleksandra M. Rogowska ambitiously sets out to blaze new paths into many different aspects of individual differences as they relate to synesthesia … the book is exhaustively researched and provides a lucid and useful review of each of the variables under examination and the tests used to measure them. As such, it is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in individual differences, as it frames synesthesia as a trait co-occurring with a variety of other measures.' Jennifer Ma