Keeping the stimuli the same was a way to control certain variables in the experiment. How Do You Test if K Looks Red?Īll of the participants were given the same stimuli of vocab words, music, and colors. Some synaesthetics see certain letters or numbers in a specific color. The researchers also tested a control group (people who did not have synesthesia) for comparison. And, people who see periods of time, like days of the week, as physically farther away from each otherwill be called date-space. People who see letter and sounds as colors will be called letter/sound-color. People who see certain sounds as colors, such as the sound of a firetruck as orange will be called sound-color. People who see certain letters as colors, such as always seeing “A” as red will be called letter-color. Each type has its own name, but we will give them easier descriptors to remember. To further test if there is a synesthesia-specific memory boost, researchers decided to test several different types of synesthesia. However, the types of synesthesia tested has been limited. Other studies have shown that seeing numbers or words in color both help with memory, but being able to taste words does not. But, does this better memory depend on the type of synesthesia someone has? For example, would people who see letters with colors do better on vocabulary tests? Well, in certain situations, we already know this is true. Previous research shows that people with synesthesia have a better memory than people without it. That is why people with synesthesia might see colors or experience tastes with words or music. This lack of pruning means sections of brain that deal with words, colors, music, and more, remain more connected than usual. Normally, this occurs because we do not use those connections, but in synesthesia, this pruning does not happen. In people with synesthesia, some of these regions are more connected than they need to be for normal body functioning.Īs we develop, the brain and the rest of the nervous system goes through a process called “pruning,” where some connections between cells are removed. A joining of brain signals like this that causes unusual combinations of senses is called synesthesia.ĭifferent regions of the brain are responsible for different senses and functions. But what if areas of the brain that affect our senses were more connected than usual? What if they sent signals to each other even when they weren’t supposed to? We might taste bananas when we hear drums, or we might always see the letter “A” as red. This connection lets us know where to walk to. For example, the brain cells that allow us to see can “talk” to the brain cells that control our leg muscles. Normally, these sections only send signals to each other for certain body functions. We have brain areas for seeing colors, reading, tasting, and more. The brain is kind of like a map of regions. Would these experiences help you on memory tests? In the PLOS ONE article “ New insights into mechanisms of enhanced synaesthetic memory: Benefits are synesthesia-type-specific,” scientists tested if people with synesthesia had better memories. They might experience colors or tastes when they see certain letters or hear certain sounds.Ĭould you imagine a scenario in which synesthesia would be helpful? Imagine taking a math test and remembering colors along with equations, or taking a spelling test and remembering how certain words tasted. Synesthesia is a condition in which people’s senses are connected, so more senses are affected by an experience than normal. What if hearing some of Shakespeare's words made you taste chocolate? Image by Bin im Garten.