A Case Study of a Chromesthetic

Abstract

D, a middle-aged female art educator, exemplifies the phenomenon of chromesthesia or color hearing, a form of synesthesia in which a tone elicits a visual color experience as well as an auditory sensation. Extensive interviews and tests with music stimuli over a five-year period revealed a remarkable range and consistency of tone-color linkages. Absolute pitch, which D possesses independently of her chromesthesia, showed less stability than the chromesthesia. Synesthesia, while not unnatural, rarely is demonstrated because of societal constraints in childhood. Potential learning problems are revealed that should be considered in the development of instructional programs. Also, individual perceptual differences may significantly influence learning style. © 1981, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.