Synesthesia - is that a phenomenon in psychology? Types of synaesthesia

It was a long time ago when the extraordinary character of a certain individual evoked a negative attitude of society towards himself. Today changed the opinion of the masses a little. For example, left-handers are no longer retrained to write with their right hand, although 50 years ago such a tendency was considered the norm. Specialists seriously began to study similar features of patients, while the latter realized that their deviations can easily benefit.

What should we mean by the term "synaesthesia"? This, according to popular belief, is a unique syndrome, consisting in the fact that one particular stimulus is capable of simultaneously bringing into operation several senses (for example, color hearing). Possessing such a feature of personality can associate with a certain melody images, tuning in the mind colors to sounds. Most often these are composers.

The phenomenon and its concept

According to the Greek dictionary, "synaesthesia" is a mixed perception. Antonym can be considered a fairly familiar word - "anesthesia" (lack of sensation). Synesthesia is a process of perception in which a certain sensitive organ is irritated. In this case, a certain perception arises that pertains to another sense organ. Simply put, a variety of associations that can be synthesized and mixed. People inclined to such a phenomenon can not only hear sounds, but also contemplate them.

Synaesthesia is the opposite of anesthesia (numbness). People suffering from the last of these syndromes can not show such abilities. Everyone knows that in life a person is able to use five analyzing bodies responsible for the corresponding sensations:

• Auditory;
• Visual;
• Flavoring;
• Tactile;
• Olfactory.

Psychologists are sure that such a "skill" indicates a violation of the hemispheres of the brain. And therefore the synesthetics have excellent motor skills of both the right arm and the left one. They are, in their way, universals.

The phenomenon of synaesthesia and its variety

This concept came into use quite recently, while in medical practice it was known since ancient times. So, even primitive people, performing ritual dances, did not share colors and sounds. At the end of the nineteenth century, the described "deviation" became especially popular in the sphere of culture.

Gifted people willingly combined colors and sounds, combined taste and visual sensations. However, such a phenomenon was actively used not only by the priests of art, in particular, the synesthesia was also among doctors. Modern medicine began to divide this concept into several varieties. The main types of synaesthesia:

1. Color hearing. Such a manifestation of the psyche is often observed in musicians or composers. They are easily given the "coloring" of sounds in certain colors.
2. Synaesthesia auditory. People of this category can present a sound at the moment of contemplation of an object.
3. Taste of synaesthesia. This manifestation of the phenomenon allows the unique to feel through the hearing or the sight of the taste qualities of the object. For example, this skill can manifest itself when listening to a melody.
4. Associated, as well as projecting synaesthesia. The first speaks of impressions that left their imprint on the subconscious of man. At many persons, by the way, cold water necessarily will be associated with blue color. The second one works in a different way. Such people are unable to connect sensory perception with emerging objects. That is, they cold water can remind anything.

The study by psychologists of the concept of synaesthesia

The above-mentioned phenomenon in medicine defines such people who are able to clearly connect objects or images through several senses. Such persons may not necessarily include talented musicians or artists. However, there are unique here, gifted with an amazing memory. Synesthesia in psychology has always caused a lot of questions and guesses. Therefore, the statement about unique memory became a kind of postulate after testing guesses based on experiments.

The subject was a woman who was given the next assignment. She was shown matrices that have 50 digits in their composition. Within a few seconds, she copied all the symbols shown to her earlier on the sheet of paper. After two days the test was duplicated. The result was confirmed. Psychologists say that such a volume of information to a woman allowed to remember the associations that arise at the time of demonstration of matrices. By the way, abstractionism is directly connected with this phenomenon.

Psychiatry and synaesthesia

To psychiatrists such concept became known already in the century before last. At that time many composers, writers, poets and artists were actively studied. At the same time, there were no any mental deviations in humans. The possibility of the development of mental illnesses also turned out to be at their usual level. This fully confirms that synaesthesia of sensations is not a disease.

Famous Unique People

An illustrative example of the heredity of such a phenomenon is the direct descendant of V. Nabokov - his son named Dmitry. Along with his mother and father, he inherited a similar gift. It should be noted that this is far from an isolated case when synaesthesia was manifested. Examples of amazing people can easily be found among celebrities.

Among the specified unique ones there are also a large number of writers who mentioned this amazing phenomenon in their creations - Rimbaud, Baudelaire, Verlaine. Balmont, Tsvetaeva, Pasternak, etc., can also be referred to them. Synaesthesia, examples of which can be enumerated indefinitely, manifested itself in Scriabin and Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as with the singer from Norway, Maria Ida. Although a similar phenomenon was observed in Daniel Tammet, who became famous for his ability to quickly count huge numbers. This person also speaks 11 languages. The phenomenon of synaesthesia is seen in Solomon Shereshevsky, who is a journalist.

Interaction of sensations

Human perception can undergo some changes. They occur as a result of personal changes in the body or under the influence of the external environment. In the interaction of sensations, one can observe how the weaker stimuli increase the sensitivity of the analyzers. While the strong, on the contrary, lower. One of the main types of sensory interaction is sensitization, synaesthesia.

Consider what is hidden in these terms. Sensitization is the process of training sensitivity as a result of simultaneous work of stabilizers in conjunction with constant exercises. This reaction of the body can be caused not only through the use of extraneous stimuli, but also through special exercises. Thus, sensitization is sensitization. Synaesthesia is a simultaneous, joint feeling.

How to develop the phenomenon independently

As is known, synesthetics manage to penetrate better into the secrets of the surrounding space, feel deeper, feel to the extent that ordinary people can not achieve. Such a phenomenon makes it possible to solve the tasks of the creative plan, develop their talent and improve it.

If a person from childhood is able to capture additional qualities from surrounding objects that are not associated with associations at the subconscious level, then there is a high probability that he has this phenomenon.

As you know, synaesthesia in psychology is studied in sufficient detail. Numerous studies have led to an amazing discovery. It turns out, according to experts, this quality can not only be inherited, but also developed independently. For this even special trainings have been developed, thanks to which a person can learn to receive information from additional sensitive organs that cause a specified phenomenon. It is not difficult to conduct such exercises independently.

The easiest way to develop synaesthesia

In this case, you just need to call associations that do not belong to the object under study. For example, "give" any melody texture or color. Try to go beyond the usual feelings, connect additional emotions, not peculiar to the chosen subject. Thus, you will develop a synaesthesia of sensations. Music should be filled with taste, sound - with color and so on. Let us note that the development of such a phenomenon subsequently can even push a person to grandiose ideas and thoughts.

Comparison of associations

The second exercise will cause the brain to work hard. After all, you have to think in a non-standard format. It is necessary to present successful people - composers, artists or musicians in a different field. Think about what kind of music Pushkin could write, what kind of paintings Mozart might surprise the society, etc. Such an exercise promotes the development of uncharacteristic associations for the brain.

Physical exercise

Respiratory practice is another excellent method of developing synesthesia in oneself. Excellent effect and gymnastics for the eyes. Remember that organs can give more information about an object if their work is at an optimal level.

Empowering smells with images

In order to learn to visualize the smell, it is necessary to begin training with a sufficiently strong stimulus. Close your eyes, in turn, start sniffing at the orange or cloves, tobacco or bread, paint or lavender. Strongly smelling objects are great for the development of the phenomenon. Give "experimental" objects tactile or visual characteristics.

Feeling through touch

To train tactile sensations, you should collect together several items that are to be differentiated. Touching, try to call associations unusual for them. Training of the specified quality will also help the development of taste emotions by reading cookbooks or wine books. It is in them the most clearly formulated thoughts that can affect the manifestation of the desired quality.

Conclusion

Synesthesia is not just an aggravation of perception. This phenomenon can be considered a different view of the world around us. To date, more and more people are finding this gift in themselves. Blame everything, apparently, genetics. Perhaps this is a kind of transition to a new level of human development. To understand if you have this quality, try to call it. Perhaps you are the person who in sounds, smells and colors can find something more than a standard set of qualities.