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Audiovisual crossmodal correspondences and sound symbolism: a study using the implicit association test
Cesare V Parise1, Charles Spence
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. cesare.parise@tuebingen.mpg.de
Experimental Brain Research
|June 19, 2012
Summary
Non-synaesthetic individuals show crossmodal correspondences, linking different sensory inputs. This study confirms known links and reveals new ones using a modified implicit association test (IAT), suggesting automatic sensory processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Multisensory perception research reveals crossmodal correspondences in non-synaesthetic individuals.
- These correspondences are compatibility effects between stimuli from different sensory modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate established crossmodal correspondences.
- To identify and validate two novel crossmodal correspondences.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of these effects using a modified implicit association test (IAT).
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified version of the implicit association test (IAT).
- Presented single stimuli per trial to isolate compatibility effects.
- Measured reaction times to assess compatibility between sensory stimuli.
Main Results:
- Replicated classic crossmodal correspondence findings.
- Identified two new crossmodal correspondences.
- Demonstrated rapid onset and similar effect sizes for all correspondences.
- Ruled out selective attention and multisensory integration as primary mechanisms due to single-stimulus presentation.
Conclusions:
- Crossmodal correspondences are detected automatically and rapidly.
- The modified IAT is effective for assessing crossmodal correspondences.
- Findings contribute to understanding sensory integration and compatibility effects in perception.
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