Not all synaesthetes are created equal: Projector versus associator synaesthetes

Abstract

In synaesthesia, ordinary stimuli elicit extraordinary experiences. When grapheme-color synaesthetes view black text, each grapheme elicits a photism-a highly specific experience of color. Importantly, some synaesthetes (projectors) report experiencing their photisms in external space, whereas other synaesthetes (associators) report experiencing their photisms "in the mind's eye." We showed that projectors and associators can be differentiated not only by their subjective reports, but also by their performance on Stroop tasks. Digits were presented in colors that were either congruent or incongruent with the synaesthetes' photisms. The synaesthetes named either the video colors of the digits or the colors of the photisms elicited by the digits. The results revealed systematic differences in the patterns of Stroop interference between projectors and associators. Converging evidence from firstperson reports and third-person objective measures of Stroop interference establish the projector/ associator distinction as an important individual difference in grapheme-color synaesthesia.

Does Binding of Synesthetic Color to the Evoking Grapheme Require Attention?

“…Phenomenological differences may indeed hold the key to understanding some of the differences found between synesthetes (e.g., Dixon et al, 2004). Still, variability in performance among synesthetes with apparently similar phenomenologies could be accounted for by neurophysiological heterogeneity (Hubbard et al, submitted).…”

Do sequence-space synaesthetes have better spatial imagery skills? Yes, but there are individual differences

“…A 3D form might extend away from the body horizontally, vertically and laterally, while 2D forms might extend, for example, just in a planar circle. Price (2013) (Dixon, Smilek & Merikle, 2004). In contrast 'associator' synaesthetes simply visualise their forms in some kind of internal mental space, often described as being 'within the mind's eye'.…”

Monozygotic Twins' Colour-Number Association: a Case Study

“…How many you find will depend on where you draw the line. Dixon et al (2004) report that only 11% of their sample are "projectors", with the remainder classed as "associators". R and T appear to fit towards the mild end of the range: they have reliable, long lasting associations that cause a Stroop interference, but do not report consciously seeing anything.…”