Synesthesia in Perspective
October 14, 2004 DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195166231.003.0001 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe term synesthesia covers a range of phenomena, most commonly when stimulation in one sensory modality triggers an experience in another, but also when different qualities within a single modality (e.g., seeing letter shapes evoke colors) are involved. Similar experiences have been reported in patients with eye disease, brain damage, or migraines, as well as in healthy individuals using mescaline, LSD, or Ayahuasca. Divine intervention has also been suggested as a possible trigger.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Synesthesia Modality human–computer interaction Perspective graphical Cognitive psychology Neuroscience |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key finding | Synesthesia describes a variety of phenomena, most commonly cross-modal sensory experiences, but also within-modality associations, and has been linked to medical conditions, psychoactive substances, and divine intervention. |
Abstract
Abstract The term synesthesia (Greek; syn = together, aesthesia = sensation) has been used to describe a wide variety of phenomena. Most commonly, it is used to denote a condition in which stimulation in one sensory modality also gives rise to an experience in a different modality. However, conditions involving different qualities within one modality (e.g., when the sight of letter shapes evokes color) are labeled synesthesia as well. Phenomena of this sort have also been reported in patients with eye disease, brain damage, and migraines (e.g., Armel & Ramachandran, 1999; Jacobs, Karpik, Bozian & Gothgen, 1981; Podoll & Robinson, 2002). Similar experiences have been reported in healthy individuals using mescaline and LSD (e.g., Hartman & Hollister, 1963) or drinking psychoactive brews such as Ayahuasca (Shanon, 2002). Divine intervention has also been invoked as a possible trigger of synesthesia.