The YouTube video above is a basic interpretation of trying to understand synesthesia.
Jonathan.
Jonathan.
I have conducted a bit of research into synesthesia and sensory experimentation. Due to the overlap in the research, the information is duplicated over the two pages.
Jonathan - 28/02/14.
- The visual system will always predict the future. This is demonstrated by throwing a ball into the air three or four times or so and then catching it. But on the last attempt, start the throwing motion, but don't throw the ball. Despite the ball not being released from the hand, the visual system will visualise the ball being thrown. Our eyes are not so silly, as the object has not triggered a reaction. However, the brain has visualised this movement, of what we are expecting. Effectively, our brain overrules our eyes.
- Another interesting sensory experiments is the use of the 'McGurk effect'. If we were to say "BAA" out loud, we would notice our lips have a certain movement. But when we say "BAA", but with lip movement of "FAR", our senses become confused; they end up clashing. If we were to listen to "BAA" with our eyes closed, we would not be able to tell the difference, despite the change in lip movement. This part works on the hearing sense only. If on the other hand, we do open our eyes, we would see "BAA" and "FAR", even when "BAA" is being said. More information on the McGurk effect is here.
- Hollow Mask Illusion. As the face starts to turn, we think that we have outsmarted the illusion. Sadly enough, this isn't the case. We know that it's physically hollow because of the geometrics. If we were to place ourselves there, we could poke it, right? Because our brains are so clever and adapted to recognise a face instantaneously, we perceive it as another face, not a hollow piece of plastic. It is said to become convex. We are passed down this information from our parents, and use this information even from the day we are born.
- If we were faced with new situations daily, and we had to learn what we are doing for every single situation, then our brains would be so big. It would so big, our skulls would have to adapt and so does the rest of the body too. To put this into context, every time we approach a door, the handle will be different. It has a different colour, different shape, different texture, different smell even! If we were to have to remember all of these things, about one little piece of our daily experience, then our brains would be huge! Instead, we remember what we really need to know and that's it. Again, going back to context, we see a handle for a door; we know the shape, we know the action, job done, we are through the door.
- Synesthesia is mixing senses together. Sometimes, some people will accompany images with a smell, for example, a picture of a steak will trigger the hearing sense and will produce a bang! It's not pleasurable for the sufferer, but can be used for the good reasons. It's quite useful to artists. Sadly though, not till recently, it was never taken so seriously.
- If person 'a' has a visual/taste synesthesia then it is believed that the two senses of the brain are cross-wired. When a baby is born they are born with synesthesia as the two parts are cross-wired like so, brain connections. As the Human grows over time, these connections fade and so synesthesia doesn't seem to be present. Synaesthetes are able to keep these connections.
- Imagine a glass full of a green liquid. If we tasted the liquid, our perception to its taste would be adjusted because of our sight. Person 'a' might suggest that it is washing up liquid, Whilst in fact it is actually a mint flavoured drink with a green dye added. We eat with our eyes.
- Rubber Hand Illusion. This shows how the sight and touch are both interlinked. Which shows that we have some synesthesia embedded into us, so many years down the line. We adopt the rubber hand as there is a change in the brain. Neuroplasticity - Rewiring the brain. The brain can change, given a new experience. For blind people they can move around obstacles, via plasticity, using another sense entirely.
- Some blind people use echolocation. They are able to deduct images from their surroundings, from sound waves that leave the mouth by clicking the tongue and bounce off objects, into their ears. The brain is clever enough to use 'empty' areas of the brain, where a sense that is no longer operational, can be used for strengthening another sense.
Jonathan - 28/02/14.