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Face-Processing Differences Present in Grapheme-Color Synesthetes
Thea Mannix1, Thomas Alrik Sørensen1,2
1Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Aalborg University.
Cognitive Science
|April 12, 2022
Summary
Individuals with grapheme-color synesthesia show deficits in face recognition and processing. This study investigated atypical face-processing abilities in synesthetes compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Grapheme-color synesthesia involves an automatic color experience triggered by graphemes.
- Previous research primarily focused on inducer-specific associations.
- Emerging evidence suggests broader perceptual differences in synesthetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate atypical face-processing abilities in individuals with grapheme-color synesthesia.
- To compare face recognition and holistic face processing between synesthetes and controls.
- To explore self-reported face recognition difficulties in synesthetes.
Main Methods:
- 16 grapheme-color synesthetes and 16 matched controls participated.
- Participants completed the Cambridge Face Memory Test (CFMT) and Vanderbilt Holistic Face Processing Task (VHPT-F).
- A self-report questionnaire (Faces and Emotions Questionnaire) was also administered.
Main Results:
- Synesthetes exhibited significantly poorer performance on the CFMT, with a reduced upright advantage.
- Synesthetes showed reduced overall accuracy on the VHPT-F but maintained a comparable holistic processing advantage.
- Synesthetes self-reported significantly worse face recognition abilities.
Conclusions:
- Synesthetes demonstrate significant impairments in face recognition and processing compared to controls.
- The findings suggest potential differences in the development of individualized perceptual strategies in synesthetes.
- This study highlights a potential link between synesthesia and face perception deficits.
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