Defining synaesthesia

Bibliographic Data

ID5268976
AuthorsJulia Simner (0000-0003-4789-0138, University of Edinburgh, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume103
Issue1
Pages1-15
Publication date2012-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1269 • E-ISSN: 2044-8295
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1348/000712610x528305
PMID22229768
OpenAlexW2313851940
LanguageEN
Citations received36
References cited47

Studies investigating developmental synaesthesia have sought to describe a number of qualities that might capture in behavioural terms the defining characteristics of this unusual phenomenon. The task of generating a definition is made more difficult by the fact that any description of synaesthesia must be broad enough to capture the 61 different variants of the condition already reported to date. Given these difficulties, the current literature now contains a number of conflicting assumptions about the nature of this condition. Here, I attempt to address several of these divisive areas from a set of contemporary definitions. I present evidence that might argue against previous claims that synaesthesia is (a) a 'merging of the senses', which (b) gives rise to consistent synaesthetic associations over time, with (c) synaesthetic associations that are spatially extended. I then investigate the possible benefits of moving from a behavioural definition to a neurobiological one and explore the ways in which this might force a rethink about the potential outermost boundaries of this fascinating condition

Cognitive psychology · Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques · Multisensory perception and integration · Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies · Psychology

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