The time has long passed when the eccentricity of a certain individual caused a negative attitude of society. Today has somewhat changed the opinion of the masses. For example, left-handed people are no longer relearned to write with their right hand, although even 50 years ago this trend was considered the norm. Specialists began to seriously study these features of patients, while the latter realized that their deviations could easily be beneficial.
What should be meant by the term "synesthesia"? This, according to the generally accepted opinion, is a unique syndrome consisting in the fact that one specific stimulus is capable of simultaneously activating several sensory organs (for example, color hearing). Possessing such a personality trait can associate images with a particular melody, adjusting colors in sounds in the mind. Most often these are composers.
The phenomenon and its concept
According to the Greek dictionary, “synesthesia” is a mixed perception. A rather familiar word - “anesthesia” (lack of sensations) can be considered an antonym. Synesthesia is a process of perception in which a certain sensitive organ is irritated. In this case, a certain perception arises relating to another sensory organ. Simply put, diverse in nature associations that can be synthesized and mixed. People prone to this phenomenon can not only hear sounds, but also contemplate them.
Synesthesia is the opposite of anesthesia (numbness). People suffering from the last of these syndromes cannot show such abilities. Everyone knows that in life a person is able to use five analyzing organs responsible for the corresponding sensations:
- auditory;
- visual;
- flavoring;
- tactile;
- olfactory.
Psychologists are sure that such a "skill" indicates a violation of the brain. Therefore, synesthetics have excellent motility in both the right hand and the left. They are, in their way, wagons.
The phenomenon of synesthesia and its varieties
This concept has come into use recently, while in medical practice it has been 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 field of culture.
Gifted people willingly combined colors and sounds, combined taste and visual sensations. However, this phenomenon was actively used not only by priests of art, but doctors also held synesthesia in particular honor. Modern medicine has begun to divide this concept into several varieties. The main types of synesthesia:
- Color hearing. This manifestation of the psyche is often observed among musicians or composers. They are easily given the "coloring" of sounds in certain colors.
- Auditory synesthesia. People in this category may present sound at the moment they contemplate an object.
- Taste synesthesia. This manifestation of the phenomenon allows unique people to feel the taste of the object through hearing or vision. For example, such a skill can manifest itself when listening to a melody.
- Associating as well as projecting synesthesia. The first speaks of impressions that have left their imprint on the human subconscious. Many people, by the way, will definitely associate cold water with blue. The second works on a different principle. Such people are unable to connect sensory perception with arising objects. That is, cold water can remind them of anything.
Psychologists study the concept of synesthesia
The aforementioned phenomenon in medicine defines such people who are able to clearly connect objects or images through several senses. Such individuals may not necessarily include talented musicians or artists. However, there are only unique ones, gifted with an amazing memory. Synesthesia in psychology has always raised many questions and conjectures. Therefore, the assertion of a unique memory became a kind of postulate after testing guesses based on experiments.
The subject at that moment was the woman who was given the next assignment. She was shown matrices with 50 numbers each. Within a few seconds, she wrote down on a piece of paper all the characters shown to her earlier. Two days later, the test was duplicated. The result was confirmed. Psychologists argue that such a volume of information a woman was allowed to remember the associations that arise when the matrices are shown to her. By the way, abstractionism is precisely connected with this phenomenon.
Psychiatry and synesthesia
For psychiatrists, such a concept became known back in the century before last. At that time, many composers, writers, poets and artists were actively studied. In this case, no mental abnormalities were found in humans. The possibility of developing mental illness was also at their usual level. This fully confirms that synesthesia of sensations is not a disease.
Famous Unique
A clear 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 synesthesia was manifested. Examples of amazing people can easily be found among celebrities.
Among the stipulated unique ones, there are also a large number of writers who mentioned this amazing phenomenon in their creations - Rimbaud, Baudelaire, Verlaine. These include Balmont, Tsvetaeva, Pasternak, etc. Synesthesia, examples of which can be enumerated endlessly, manifested itself in Scriabin and Rimsky-Korsakov, as well as 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 synesthesia was also noticed by Solomon Shereshevsky, who is a journalist.
Sensation interaction
Human perception may undergo some changes. They occur as a result of personal changes in the body or under the influence of the external environment. With the interaction of sensations, one can observe how weaker stimuli increase the sensitivity of analyzers. While the strong, on the contrary, lower. One of the main types of interaction of sensations is sensitization, synesthesia.
Consider what is hidden in these terms. Sensitization is the process of training sensitivity as a result of the simultaneous operation of stabilizers in combination 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, increasing sensitivity is sensitization. Synesthesia is a simultaneous, joint sensation.
How to independently develop the phenomenon
As you know, synesthetics manage to better penetrate the secrets of the space surrounding them, feel deeper, feel to the extent that ordinary people are not able to achieve. Such a phenomenon makes it possible to solve the tasks of the creative plan, develop your 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 possesses this phenomenon.
As you know, synesthesia in psychology is studied in sufficient detail. Numerous studies have led to an amazing discovery. It turns out, according to experts, such a quality can not only be inherited, but also developed independently. For this, special trainings have even been developed, thanks to which a person can learn to receive information from additional sensitive organs that cause a specified phenomenon. Conducting such classes on your own is not difficult.
The easiest way to develop synesthesia
In this case, you just need to call the associations that do not belong to the studied object. For example, “give” some melody texture or colorfulness. Try to go beyond the usual feelings, connect additional emotions that are not peculiar to the selected subject. Thus, you will begin to develop synesthesia of sensations. Music should be filled with taste, sound with color and so on. Note that the development of such a phenomenon can even subsequently push a person into grandiose ideas and thoughts.
Association Comparison
The second exercise will make the brain work pretty well. After all, here you have to think in a non-standard format. It is necessary to introduce successful people - composers, artists or musicians in a different field. Consider what kind of music Pushkin could write, what kind of paintings Mozart could surprise society, etc. Such an exercise promotes the development of uncharacteristic associations for the brain.
Physical exercise
Respiratory practice is another excellent method for developing synesthesia within yourself. Gymnastics for the eyes also works great. Remember that authorities can give more information about the subject if their work is carried out at the optimum level.
Giving smells images
In order to learn to visualize the smell, it is necessary to begin training with a sufficiently strong stimulus. Closing your eyes, take turns sniffing an orange or clove, tobacco or bread, paint or lavender. Strongly smelling objects are great for developing the phenomenon. Give “experimental” objects tactile or visual characteristics.
Sensation through touch
To train tactile sensations , several items to be differentiated should be brought together. Touching, try to cause associations uncharacteristic of them. The development of taste emotions through reading a cookbook or wine book will also help to train the agreed quality. It is in them that thoughts are most clearly formulated that can affect the manifestation of the desired quality.
Conclusion
Synaesthesia is not just an aggravation of perception. This phenomenon can be considered a different view of the world. Today, more and more people find this gift in themselves. Apparently, genetics is to blame. 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.