Hancock et al. (2006)

From Psy3242

Color-number association

In this study, a set of monozygotic twins were performing various tests to display their color-number association. This synesthetic association is shown by R and T, the twins, as naming certain letters as colors. Each specific letter had a different color scheme which had been highly consistent over the past 6 years. At the time of the testing, the twins were 12 years and 2 months old.

Test Administered

The twins were given a test, the Stroop task, which produces an effect known as the Stroop Effect. They were asked to name the color of the displayed digit on their screen as soon as it appeared. The Stroop Effect interfered with their reaction time of naming the correct color of the digit when the image appeared.

Results

It was shown that the twins had a longer reaction time when the colors of the shown digit did not match their personal color-association of choice. This additional reaction time results from the twins photism, or production of a sensation of light or color to another sense organ. The term given for this such condition is called Associator Synesthesia. The researchers believe the twins' childhood jigsaw puzzle is the origin of their color-number association.