__smbhome.uscs.susx.ac.uk_sc328_Desktop_Papers for SRO_SIMNER_Cortex_NOV_2018_author_copy.pdf (802.37 kB)
Synaesthetes show advantages in savant skill acquisition: training calendar calculation in sequence-space synaesthesia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 16:33 authored by James Hughes, Elin Gruffydd, Julia SimnerJulia Simner, Jamie WardJamie WardPrevious research has suggested that synaesthetic experiences may create the foundation for superior skills to emerge of the type found in savant syndrome (e.g., Simner, Mayo, & Spiller, 2009). People with sequence-space synaesthesia experience units of time (e.g., days, months, years) as a pattern in space, either within the mind’s eye or as a 3d projection outside of the body. Our study investigates whether sequence-space synaesthesia facilitates the learning of the savant skill known as ‘calendar calculation’ where an individual can give the correct day of the week for any given date (e.g., 18th September 1990 was a Tuesday). Using a novel experimental methodology, we trained a group of sequence-space synaesthetes as well as non-synaesthete controls how to calendar calculate over two weeks with a final calendar calculation test in the third week. We show for the first time that calendar calculation is relatively easy to acquire: following training sessions totalling one hour participants could select a day, from a set of several thousand, within ~10 seconds and with ~80% accuracy. Synaesthetes were not found to have improved abilities from the start, but they outperformed controls in our final calendar calculation test. We suggest that sequence-space synaesthesia may have provided an advantage in performing calendar calculation after the opportunity for initial learning had taken place. This supports the notion of synaesthesia as a foundation for superior, and perhaps sometimes savant-like, skills.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
CortexISSN
0010-9452Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Volume
113Page range
67-82Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science Publications
- Sussex Neuroscience Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-01-17First Open Access (FOA) Date
2019-12-17First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-01-16Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedLicence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC