University of Sussex
Browse
__smbhome.uscs.susx.ac.uk_sc328_Desktop_Papers for SRO_WARD_Memory_JUL_2019_author_copy.pdf (1.7 MB)

A meta-analysis of memory ability in synaesthesia

Download (1.7 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 18:28 authored by Jamie WardJamie Ward, Andy FieldAndy Field, Taylor Chin
People with synaesthesia have often been reported to possess enhanced memory relative to the general population and, in some cases, exceptional memory ability. However, there are also inconsistencies in this literature and it is unclear whether this reflects sampling error (exacerbated by low Ns) or more meaningful differences that arise because synaesthesia relates to some aspects of memory more than others. To this end, a multi-level meta-analysis was conducted. Synaesthetes have enhanced episodic memory with a medium population effect size estimate (d ^ = 0.61), whereas the effects on working memory were significantly smaller (d ^ = 0.36) but still exceeded that of controls. Moderation analyses suggested that, aside from the division between long term versus working memory, the effects of synaesthesia are pervasive i.e. they extend to all kinds of stimuli, and extend to all kinds of test formats. This pattern is hard to reconcile with the view that synaesthetic experiences directly support memory ability: for instance, digit span (where synaesthesia could be helpful) showed a small effect whereas episodic memory for abstract images (where synaesthesia is irrelevant) yielded larger effects. Synaesthesia may be the only known neurodevelopmental condition linked to a pervasive enhancement of long-term memory.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Memory

ISSN

0965-8211

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-07-23

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-08-02

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-07-22

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC