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Very Short Introductions #608
Synaesthesia: A Very Short Introduction
Can you taste words, feel flavours as a shape, or hear colors? If so you may well have synaesthesia, a neurological condition that gives rise to a 'merging of the senses'.
This Very Short Introduction describes synaesthesia's many forms, and delves into the underlying neuroscience. Explaining the scientific basis for synaesthesia, Julia Simner considers how we can measure the effects synaesthesia has on the everyday lives of people living with it. Exploring the fascinating stories of different synaesthetes' experiences of the world, she also discusses the documented links between synaesthesia, childhood development, memory, personality, and artistic creativity, and the potential limitations synaesthesia might impose.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
This Very Short Introduction describes synaesthesia's many forms, and delves into the underlying neuroscience. Explaining the scientific basis for synaesthesia, Julia Simner considers how we can measure the effects synaesthesia has on the everyday lives of people living with it. Exploring the fascinating stories of different synaesthetes' experiences of the world, she also discusses the documented links between synaesthesia, childhood development, memory, personality, and artistic creativity, and the potential limitations synaesthesia might impose.
ABOUT THE The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
160 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 7, 2020
an interesting introduction to an area of science i was initially interested in after reading wendy mass' book 'a mango-shaped space' as a kid. lots of neat facts, but would have liked more personal stories to pair with the science-y bits.
July 15, 2020
Ein kompaktes Buch, dass in 100 Seiten „Synaesthesia“ erklärt. Also die Fähigkeit von Menschen Worte, Zahlen mit Farben, Schmerzen, Charaktären zu verbinden. Eine „Kondition“, die 4% der Weltbevölkerung betrifft.
Simner erklärt die Charakteristiken, den Ursprung und versucht ein politisches Verständnis zu bringen, dass es sich nicht um eine Krankheit handelt.
Nettes Buch für Zwischendurch!
Simner erklärt die Charakteristiken, den Ursprung und versucht ein politisches Verständnis zu bringen, dass es sich nicht um eine Krankheit handelt.
Nettes Buch für Zwischendurch!
August 2, 2019
A detailed introduction, including numerous accounts of synaesthetes and studies, that culminates in a good understanding of what research has uncovered. It is a bit meandering in nature, but answered questions I had about myself, and introduced ideas I had not explored until this point.
March 2, 2021
Book 2/12 in my approach to becoming a universal genius. If you want to read more about my approach to this very ambitious goal, click here!
Second Short Introduction this year and I jumped to a very different topic with this one. It is about synaesthesia, a cognitive trait that a minority of the population experiences, in which different senses are linked in a very interesting way. Some might link letters, days of the week or specific words with sounds or tastes. Some might order numbers, months or years in a very specific pattern. Some even experience touch when they see other people being touched.
It’s a very fascinating topic and often times synaesthetes don’t even know that other people don’t experience the same thing. This book goes into detail on what different types of synaesthesia there are, what might be different in the brains of synaesthetes compared to non-synaesthetes (because this is not clearly understood, though there are some hints) and how synaesthesia shapes the life of people who experience it.
I personally found the chapter that discusses the relationship between autism and synaesthesia and also the patterns behind the assigning of the synaesthetic relation between certain sensory experiences very fascinating.
I would definitely recommend this if you are interested in unusual neuroscientific experiences and do not know a lot about synaesthesia!
4/5
A complete list of all the “Very Short Introductions” I’m reading this year and the reviews on the ones I have already finished can be found here.
Second Short Introduction this year and I jumped to a very different topic with this one. It is about synaesthesia, a cognitive trait that a minority of the population experiences, in which different senses are linked in a very interesting way. Some might link letters, days of the week or specific words with sounds or tastes. Some might order numbers, months or years in a very specific pattern. Some even experience touch when they see other people being touched.
It’s a very fascinating topic and often times synaesthetes don’t even know that other people don’t experience the same thing. This book goes into detail on what different types of synaesthesia there are, what might be different in the brains of synaesthetes compared to non-synaesthetes (because this is not clearly understood, though there are some hints) and how synaesthesia shapes the life of people who experience it.
I personally found the chapter that discusses the relationship between autism and synaesthesia and also the patterns behind the assigning of the synaesthetic relation between certain sensory experiences very fascinating.
I would definitely recommend this if you are interested in unusual neuroscientific experiences and do not know a lot about synaesthesia!
4/5
A complete list of all the “Very Short Introductions” I’m reading this year and the reviews on the ones I have already finished can be found here.
August 9, 2022
A great overview of multiple facets related to Synaesthesia. The varied types of experiences living with, and other aspects of Synaesthesia have a common thread... consistency. Those, 4 in 100 average and 15 per 100 in the arts, bear a consistency in their perceptions over time whether it is taste, sound, auditory, etc. One does not shift their experience with whatever aspect of Synaesthesia they possess. Many Synaesthesia individuals experience the same, or identical, number-color associations. Brain patterns during experiences have also been documented regularly and thoroughly over recent years.
Well worth the read. I know someone who sees colors with numbers, not outwardly, but some numbers are automatically thought of as a color, internalized vs externalized... 8-black, 4-Red, 3-yellow, etc., so this work was of extra interest to me.
Small type in my copy made it harder to read comfortably.
Well worth the read. I know someone who sees colors with numbers, not outwardly, but some numbers are automatically thought of as a color, internalized vs externalized... 8-black, 4-Red, 3-yellow, etc., so this work was of extra interest to me.
Small type in my copy made it harder to read comfortably.
September 1, 2024
My favorite book as yet about Synesthesia. Written clearly, in a voice that is easy to understand. Short and gives a great overview of what Synesthesia is, with examples and proof. Highly recommended.
June 30, 2019
An examination of a medical condition - where human senses become jumbled.
An odd book, but an interesting condition.
Reading time around one hour.
An odd book, but an interesting condition.
Reading time around one hour.
August 1, 2023
Good overview with very good examples.
September 14, 2021
Synaesthesia: A Very Short Introduction is a fascinating overview of a phenomenon I had sort-of heard about before, but about which didn't really know anything until I stumbled onto this slim volume while browsing the stacks at the local junior college library. It reviews not just the physiological causes and nature of synaesthesia (at least, as much as we know or what we think we know at the present), but also the consequences of synaesthesia and the influence it has played in artistic creations of those who have it. I'm not sure how the Oxford University Press selects the topics for their A Very Short Introduction series, but I'm glad they chose this subject. I found it a totally intriguing read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews