Long-term memory
Does color synesthesia boost visual memory for regular objects?
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
People who associate letters and numbers with colors have a broad memory advantage for visual stimuli, even for images that do not trigger their synesthesia.
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Does color synesthesia boost visual memory for regular objects?
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28 grapheme-color synesthetes in the initial experiment
Grapheme-color synaesthetes ( n = 28) and non-synaesthete control subjects ( n = 35) were recruited by email.
18 lexical-gustatory synesthetes in the initial experiment
A sample of lexical-gustatory synaesthetes ( n = 18) and matched controls ( n = 18) were additionally tested.
Key findings
In the initial experiment, grapheme-color synesthetes recognized all types of visual stimuli significantly better than controls, whereas lexical-gustatory synesthetes showed no memory advantage. In the subsequent experiment, grapheme-color synesthetes again outperformed controls across all scene alterations, indicating that their visual memory advantage is general rather than restricted to color changes.
Methodology
In the initial experiment, researchers tested 28 grapheme-color synesthetes, 35 controls, 18 lexical-gustatory synesthetes, and 18 controls on their ability to recognize words, non-words, scenes, and fractals. In the subsequent experiment, 33 grapheme-color synesthetes and 38 controls completed a recognition memory task using words and scene images that were modified by altering an object's color, changing its orientation, or removing an object entirely.
Limitations
The study cannot prove a causal link between synesthesia and superior memory, as it relies on comparing pre-existing groups rather than manipulating synesthesia directly. It also does not clarify if this memory advantage extends to non-visual senses, such as hearing or touch. Finally, the experiments relied on web-based testing rather than highly controlled laboratory environments, which could introduce external distractions.
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