Synaesthesia is a condition in which a stimulus in one sensory modality automatically triggers a perceptual experience in another sensory modality. For example, on hearing a sound, the person immediately sees a colour. This volume brings together what is known about this fascinating neurological condition. The above questions, and new issues arising from the recent wave of cognitive neuroscientific research into synaesthesia, are debated in a series of chapters by leading authorities in the field.
Table of Contents:
Part I: Background:. 1. Synaesthesia: An Introduction: John E. Harrison and Simon Baron-Cohen (Cambridge University).
2. Synaesthesia: Richard Cytowic.
Part II: Classic Papers:.
3. Extract on Synaesthesia from 'Inquiries into Human Faculty': Sir Francis Galton.
4. On Coloured-Hearing Synaesthesia: Cross-Modal Translations of Sensory Dimensions: Lawrence Marks.
5. 'Correspondences': Charles Baudelaire.
6. Extract from "The Mind of a Mnemonist": Alexander Luria.
Part III: Neuroscientific Perspectives:.
7. Synaesthesia: A Review of Psychological Theories: John E. Harrison and Simon Baron-Cohen (Cambridge University).
8. The Physiological Basis of Synaesthesia: Christopher D. Frith and Eraldo Paulesu (Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology and Institute H. San Raffaele, Milan).
9. Perception and Sensory Information in Synaesthetic Experience: Petter G. Grossenbacher (National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda).
10. Possible Implications of Synaesthesia for the Hard Question of Consciousness: Jennifer Gray, Julia Nunn, Steve Williams and Simon Baron-Cohen (Institute of Psychiatry, City University, Institute of Psychiatry and Cambridge University).
11. Synaesthesia: Is a Genetic Analysis Feasible?: Mark E. S. Bailey and Keith Johnson (Both Glasgow University).
Part IV: Developmental Perspectives:.
12. Synaesthesia: Implications for Modularity of Mind: Gabriel M. A. Segal (King's College, London).
13. Neonatal Synaesthesia: Implications for the Processing of Speech and Faces: Daphne Maurer.
14. Synaesthesia: Implications for Developmental Neurobiology: Henri Kennedy, Colette Dehay, Alexandre Batardiere and Pascal Barone (All INSERM, France).
Part V: Clinical and Personal Perspectives:.
15. Synaesthesia: Possible Mechanisms: E. M. R. Critchley (Preston Royal Infirmary).
16. Two Synaesthetes Talking Color: Alison Motluk (New Scientist).
About the Author :
Simon Baron-Cohen is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge and Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge. He is Director of the Autism Research Centre (ARC) in Cambridge.
John E Harrison is a Researh Associate at the University of Cambridge.
