What Does Purple Smell Like? | Crossmodal Correspondence and How it Effects What We Smell
Did you know that you can smell the color purple? It's called Crossmodal Correspondences, and it happens all the time as our bodies simultaneously absorb and process stimuli from all our senses.
Sound-Shape Correspondences: The Bouba-Kiki Effect
One example of crossmodal correspondence is the Bouba-Kiki effect, which explores the relationship between sound and shape. Studies have shown that people tend to associate certain sounds with specific shapes. For instance, the curvy shape below is often linked to the softer-sounding word "Bouba," while the sharper shape below is associated with the harsher-sounding word "Kiki." This suggests an inherent connection between our auditory and visual perception.
Color-Odor Correspondences
Research has also delved into the fascinating realm of color-odor correspondences. In a study scientists created "chromatic cards" representing different odors based on their chemical composition and sensory descriptions. Participants were then asked to assign names to these images, and the results revealed a surprising degree of consistency in their associations. This suggests that our perception of color and odor might be more intertwined than we realize.
Implications and Future Directions
While the field of crossmodal research is still relatively young, the findings have significant implications for all sorts of things like marketing, product design, and even our understanding of the human brain! As we learn more about the connections between our senses, we can expect to see innovative applications that leverage these crossmodal correspondences to create more immersive and engaging experiences. For instance, understanding how colors and scents interact could lead to the development of more effective aromatherapy techniques or the creation of multisensory art installations that evoke specific emotions and responses.
There is much more to learn!
There isn’t much research in this field, but as research continues to explore the complexities of crossmodal correspondences, you can expect more discoveries that will deepen our understanding of how our senses collaborate to shape our perception of the world!