Annotated Bibliography and Works Cited

Annotated Bibliography and Works Cited:

Emma Garman

Jed Haupt

Global Scholars Diploma

March 3, 2022

Annotated Bibliography

Alex O. Holcombe, Eric L. Altschuler & Harriet J. “Over (2009) A developmental theory of synaesthesia, with long historical roots: A comment on Hotel & Milán (2008)”, Cognitive Neuropsychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/02643290802405601

This article by Mr. Holcombe dives into the conversation of Synesthesia with regards to the Maurer and Maurer 1988 theory of the origins of Synesthesia developments in infantry. This theory hypothesizes that most infants are Synesthetic, based on data suggesting that synapses in sensory and association cortices are at their highest in early childhood, peaking, and declining thereafter. This interesting theory, also strangely relates back to the book Frankenstein, and a few Mary Shelley quotations that suggest Synesthetic experiences.

I would like to use quotations, paraphrasing, and references in this article, within the neuroscience section of my podcast. There are limited theories as to when synesthesia first occurs and why it is strongest in the early stages of life: sometimes fading with age. This intriguing hypothesis and the theory of increasing independence with the brain and decreased sensory fusion would make a good point in the podcast.

Bor, Daniel, et al. “Adults Can Be Trained to Acquire Synesthetic Experiences.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 18 Nov. 2014, https://www.nature.com/articles/srep07089.

Non Synesthetic adults participated in a long process including “adaptive reading and memory tasks” that were specifically designed to mimic the experience of synesthesia, attempting to train participants into developing a synesthetic letter to color associations. Results showed that participants did develop concrete synesthetic experiences even though being in adulthood, a time where synesthesia rarely develops.

The article will be mentioned when the adult synesthesia training study is highlighted in the podcast. Although it displayed interesting results, I wish the participants were tracked a few years later, to see if they still held those associations.

Borr, Emily, and Michael Kellen. “The Effects of Synesthesia on Recall Memory Abilities in Teenagers.” Journal of Student Research, 10 Mar. 2022, https://www.jsr.org/hs/index.php/path/article/view/1118.

This article features a study done with adolescents, examining the ways teens with the neurological condition have enhanced memory recall abilities proving to be beneficial in these teenage years. Children with synesthesia according to the study have not been seen to have this memory recall advantage, whereas adults have shown the opposite. The study is working to pinpoint when and how this memory recall, in relation to synesthesia, develops.

I plan to use this article when I discuss the relationship between Synesthesia and memory in my podcast, proving that in many cases synesthesia is more like a little superpower, than a burden. Additionally, it may become more of a popular trait because stronger memory is a genetic advantage.

Brang, David, and V. S. Ramachandran. “Survival of the Synesthesia Gene: Why Do People Hear Colors and Taste Words?” PLoS Biology, vol. 9, no. 11, 2011, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001205.

Unique aspects in this journal that give information above surface level synesthesia information include genetic research suggesting Synesthesia’s heterogeneity and polygenetic nature. The article also discusses whether synesthesia is a trait continually passed down due to selective advantage “survival of the fittest” or a byproduct of some other trait or avoidance of an unhelpful trait.

In my project, I want to use quotations discussing the evolutionary component of the synesthesia gene, and how it could have survived so many generations. I want to include information about the linkage to sensory deprivation and deafferentation, or the explanation that synesthesia is one end of the spectrum of a regular distribution of cross-modality interactions.

Carpenter, Siri. “Everyday Fantasia: The World of Synesthesia.” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, Mar. 2001, https://www.apa.org/monitor/mar01/synesthesia.

This article firstly goes into depth about what synesthesia is, providing an explanation rooted in the Greek meaning of “perceived together”. It talks more about modern behavioral brain imaging and molecular genetic tools that are helping scientists learn more about this condition, especially pertaining to the physiological sequence in the brain and the genetic heritage of the condition. The article also features a timeline of synesthesia through historic events in the last two decades. It specifically discusses the 1987 study conducted by Baron-Cohen that solidified synesthetes' experience as it was the first experiment tracking synesthetes' neurodivergent associations across time.

I will use this article both by adding to my initial definition of what synesthesia is and by pulling events from the timeline of Synesthesia. If allotted the time I plan on discussing the significance of the 1987 Baron-Cohen experiment.

Dixon, Mike J., et al. “The Role of Meaning in Grapheme-Colour Synaesthesia.” Cortex, Elsevier, 4 Mar. 2008, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010945208703496.

This article includes a study of a patient, J, with grapheme-color synesthesia, in which they were presented with a number of incongruent trials with ambiguous photisms. In different contexts, the synesthete would display differing results to the ambiguous graphemes, depending on the interpretation of the grapheme. This was an interesting article because I noticed a similar pattern within myself. If I recognize a letter or a number to be one thing and then identify it actually to be a different number or color, my photism alters. I would like to use the aspect of this scientific article that discusses altering photisms dependent on individual perception, possibly highlighting my own experience. This helps demonstrate the mental aspect of synesthesia, that frequently it is less of a physical reaction but an involuntary experience based primarily on perception.

Dureau, Yona. “The Theory of Synesthesia According to the Pythagorean Tradition and Nabokov’s Revisiting of Pythagorean Synesthesia.” Semiotica, vol. 2019, no. 229, 2019, pp. 151–172., https://doi.org/10.1515/sem-2017-0166.

This journal examines Synesthesia in a historical context, specifically in ancient greek societies, Pythagoreans, and even Aristotle. Although not by the name of Synesthesia, it was written about a type of divine “perception” that some cultures used to help access the universe and unit the planets. This perception was known to be linked to enhanced visual art and musical understanding and ability. It references many of Artistotle’s famous texts such as The Rhetoric and De Anima.

I want to use this as my earliest example of synesthesia globally recorded. I specifically want to use information about the Pythagoreans and the culture of divine “perception” as well as Aristotle’s coordination between flavors and Colors.

Eyad, Abuali. “Words Clothed in Light: Dhikr (Recollection), Colour and Synaesthesia in Early Kubrawi Sufism”, Iran,( 2020) 58:2, 279-292 https://doi.org/10.1080/05786967.2019.1583046

In this scientific journal, Kubrawi and Sufi thought in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries in regards to spiritual identity and devotional practice, had visual and auditory synesthetic sensations through their “mystic experiences.” The colors imprinted on their ”mental screens” were considered to be the path to the hidden world of (Gyhap). Within their practices and spiritual traditions, there was documented auditory experience of recollection which is presented visually as colored light. A great example of historical synesthesia that impacted communities culturally. Lacks some specificity, but is still a solid source.

I plan on using this in hand with the “healing green” article discussing synesthesia in traditional healing, as some of the ways Synesthesia has culturally impacted civilizations around the globe. I will pull some quotations from this source.

Hoffman, All, et al. “The ‘Golden Age’ of Synesthesia Inquiry in the Late Nineteenth Century (1876–1895).” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0964704X.2019.1636348.

This article documents synesthesia from the timeline of 1876-1895, a segment in time in which the nature and the name of synesthesia are widely debated. It was argued that synesthesia is an alternative manifestation of “intelligence” or a pathology. The main questions surrounded if synesthesia was merely a normal/general association capacity or if it was a unique ability within a few members of the human population.

I will use information from this article in my introduction to synesthesia when I refer to the golden age of synesthesia. This will help explain the fact that synesthesia wasn’t a fully formed, scientifically accepted condition until recently, which is partially why we know so very little about its’s existence, explanation, or origin.

Hu, Elisabeth. “The Healing Green, Cultural Synaesthesia and Triangular Comparativism.” Taylor & Francis, 2021, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00141844.2020.1768137.

This article has a lot of information that jumps around the place and is quite confusing. However, there is some historical cultural synesthesia information that I have been struggling to find. The article discusses assessments of onomatopoetic expressions and the correlation between high-pitched noises and sharp lines in the Chinese language. It talks about the three different terms for green that all relate to being sharp, uplifting, fresh, and the use of green and plants in traditional Chinese healing

I would like to use this information as part of my cultural/historical background of synesthesia and talk about how color as an aspect of material practice “enables moments of cultural synesthesia”. Also, the triangle comparativist is used in interpreting the Five Twin Powder, a traditional Chinese medicinal healing recipe of some sorts, and relates ingredients' color to personified traits.

Jamie Ward (2004) “Emotionally mediated synaesthesia”, Cognitive Neuropsychology, 21:7, 761-772, DOI: 10.1080/02643290342000393

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02643290342000393

This article discusses an interesting case of synesthesia in which a synesthete, GW, experiences synesthetic color responses to stimuli with emotional connections. Names of people she knows personally have stronger more vibrant colors, whereas, those with whom she is not acquainted to, have less color.

I would like to use this article to contrast a lot of the neuroscientific information since this article pertains largely to physiology and mental emotions, suggesting synesthetic experience to some degree relates to emotional responses.

Laurentis, Camilla De. “Synesthesia – the Surprising and Powerful Fusion of Senses in Art.” DailyArt Magazine, 15 Nov. 2021, https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/synesthesia-in-art/.

Included within this magazine article features segments on influential artists who were also Synesthetes, how synesthesia affects visual art and “musical painting”, and the concept of chromesthesia hand in hand with audio and musical experience. It discussed art inspired by music, which was one technique Wassily Kandinsky (Chromesthete) utilized. Kandinsky pioneered modern abstract art that started a wave of abstractionism in western America, all because of the colorful and energetic experience evoked when Kandinsky listened to music.

I will use information and examples from this article in my modern-day connection with synesthesia to the world of art and creating. I will discuss the synesthetic experiences of many famous artists segmented in this article such as Kandinsky, Van Gogh, and Chopin, all of who have made huge impacts in the history of art.

Meier, Beat, and Nicolas Rothen. “Developing Synaesthesia: A Primer.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Frontiers Media S.A., 20 Apr. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4403345/#:~:text=Synaesthesia%20may%20have%20a%20genetic,drug%20exposure%2C%20or%20brain%20injury.&text=Synaesthesia%20may%20even%20be%20acquired%20by%20training%20in%20adulthood.

This article focuses on the neuroscience behind the development of Synesthesia. The issue is within this article (and every other article about the causation of synesthesia) no hypothesis is concrete. This article talks about the Carmichael and Simner hypothesis developed in 2013, the erotonergic hyperactivity hypothesis by Brogard, and the neonatal hypothesis developed by Brang et al. Some of which include genes that are responsible for normal cortical development and the immune system developing the synesthesia experience, increase neuron connectivity in high neural developmental childhood, and more.

I plan on introducing a few of the most well-respected and widely researched hypotheses introduced in this article. I will include some of this information along with scientific quotations in the neuroscience section of my podcast.

Mills, Kim. “Speaking of Psychology: Tasty Words, Colorful Sounds: How People with Synesthesia Experience the World, with Julia Simner, Phd.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, July 2021, https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/synesthesia.

This podcast features an episode on the phenomenon of Synesthesia. Julia Simner is a professor of neuropsychology at the University of Sussex and specializes in multisensory research. In the article she discusses how Synesthesia was legitimized with brain scans, early synesthesia studies were biased, Synesthesia loss and gain through head trauma, Synesthesia’s relation to aphantasia, misophonia, and “fake synesthetes.”

I plan on using parts of this episode that discusses the diagnosis of synesthesia. The podcast discusses highly detailed screening and the commonality of mistaken synesthesia in hyper-creative people.

Mroczko-Wąsowicz, Aleksandra, and Danko Nikolić. “Semantic Mechanisms May Be Responsible for Developing Synesthesia.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 Jan. 1AD, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00509/full.

This article includes increasing evidence proving the role of “semantic representations” in the induction of synesthesia. It argues that Synesthesia is developed through semantic mechanisms. It has useful insight into the origin of synesthesia, however, I wish it was backed up with more concrete evidence, numerical basis, or specific information about the studies conducted.

I would like to use quotations from this article when I discuss what synesthesia is. It could also be used in the argument of whether synesthesia is just an enhanced, normal, response to stimuli, or truly a unique condition.

Steen, Carol. “Why Do so Many Artists Have Synesthesia?” The Cut, 7 July 2016, https://www.thecut.com/2016/07/why-do-so-many-artists-have-synesthesia.html.

In this article artist and synesthesia expert, Carol Steen discusses the influence of synesthesia on artists, within the recent boom of celebrities in the arts claiming to have synesthesia. Steen proclaims that synesthetes have a greater “aesthetic sensitivity” which is why they have a greater advantage in the artistic field.

In the final segment of my podcast, I will be talking about modern-day Synesthesia in relation to pop culture, modern art, and modern music. I will use some quotations from Steen and references to her article to further express the linkage between creativity and synesthesia and how that has shaped the experiences of many famous artists.

Strick, Katie. “Synaesthesia: A Superpower I Share with Billie Eilish.” London Evening Standard | Evening Standard, Evening Standard, 28 Jan. 2020, https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/synaesthesia-a-superpower-i-share-with-billie-eilish-a4346686.html.

Billie Eilish describes her Synesthia experience to her fans: as she writes each song, the first thing she thinks of is its texture, day of the week, number, and color. Billie has some sort of multi-association synesthesia that is not even named yet. Her family also possesses various strands of synesthesia. This article is less scientific but still has importance as it pertains to pop culture and the influence of synesthesia.

Billie Eilish is a great example current day, whose synesthesia is quite literally changing the world. Everything from her signature style of dressing, to her color choices, her unique music, and her singing tone, all are aspects of her that are very driven by her synesthetic experience. However, we also see the huge impact of Billie and her music on her millions of fans, who idolize her style, mimic her whispery singing voice, and so on. These aspects of her identity have greatly influenced fashion and music, and I think it's a great example to include in the podcast.

Taylor, Dallas. “Twenty Thousand Hertz: Synesthesia on Apple Podcasts.” Apple Podcasts, 13 Jan. 2021, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/synesthesia/id1171270672?i=1000505190364.

Famous neurologist and author Richard Cytowic dives into the world of Synesthesia and his experience rekindles the scientific community's interest in the neurological condition. He explains his introduction to the condition at a dinner party in which one of his guests tasted shapes, all the way to his role in helping solidify the existence of synesthesia. Cytowic gives historical context and complications of how signs of Synesthesia don’t show up on CAT scans because it isn’t related to behavior, however, it was discovered functional MRI and magnetic resonance scans proved Synesthesia’s existence because of the activation of multiple brain regions with the stimulation of one sense.

I plan on using some of the segments in “Twenty Thousand Hetz: Synesthesia” with the synesthetes talking about their experiences as inspiration for an introduction for my podcast. I plan on using this information about CAT scans and MRIs and the experience of researching synesthesia in the 70s, in the historical context portion of my podcast.

Terhune, Devin. “A Placebo-Controlled Investigation of Synaesthesia-like Experiences under LSD.” ScienceDirect, 16 July 2016, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393216301130.

In a placebo-controlled experiment, synesthesia-like experiences while under LSD were studied, in which increased spontaneous synesthesia was determined in patients under LSD.

This article introduces the discussion of what “counts” as synesthesia. It breaks the boundaries of natural synesthesia, which is controversial is LSD experiences can even be considered synesthetic. It also is interesting because, before synesthesias confirmation of existence with extensive examination and high-quality technology, people thought synesthetes were just on drugs. Therefore, is an important piece of information to include.

Urist, Jacob. “Does LSD Induce Genuine Synesthesia -- or Something Different?” PsyPost, 12 Feb. 2020, https://www.psypost.org/2016/05/lsd-induce-genuine-synesthesia-something-different-42812.

This article features another study done featuring patients being tested for synesthesia on and off the influence of LSD. Two individuals experienced grapheme synesthesia while on LSD but did not meet the criteria for “genuine synesthesia” after the coming of the hallucinogenic. This article further proves the information found in the second article on the topic of LSD-induced synesthesia, as they are very similar by possessing virtually the same stance on genuine synesthesia and conducting a very similar experiment. I will use this article in hand with the second when discussing drug-induced synesthesia.

Emma Garman

Jed Haupt

Global Scholars Diploma

March 3, 2022

Works Cited: