Synaesthesia is a condition in which a stimulus in one sensory modality automatically triggers a perceptual experience in another sensory modality. This book brings together what is known about this neurological condition.

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).

Synaesthesia is a condition in which a stimulus in one sensory modality automatically triggers a perceptual experience in another. For example, on hearing a sound, the person immediately sees a color. How does this happen? Is it a real phenomenon? Why do some people develop this condition and not others? And might synaesthesia unlock important clues about the organization of the normal brain? 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. The book will be of great interest to researchers and students in the cognitive neurosciences, and is intended to spark further investigation into this relatively neglected, extraordinary phenomenon.