Symmetry and its role in the crossmodal correspondence between shape and taste.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_B9D82B9C31DB
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Symmetry and its role in the crossmodal correspondence between shape and taste.
Journal
Attention, perception & psychophysics
Author(s)
Turoman N., Velasco C., Chen Y.C., Huang P.C., Spence C.
ISSN
1943-393X (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1943-3921
Publication state
Published
Issued date
04/2018
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
80
Number
3
Pages
738-751
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Despite the rapid growth of research on the crossmodal correspondence between visually presented shapes and basic tastes (e.g., sweet, sour, bitter, and salty), most studies that have been published to date have focused on shape contour (roundness/angularity). Meanwhile, other important features, such as symmetry, as well as the underlying mechanisms of the shape-taste correspondence, have rarely been studied. Over two experiments, we systematically manipulated the symmetry and contours of shapes and measured the influences of these variables on shape-taste correspondences. Furthermore, we investigated a potential underlying mechanism, based on the common affective appraisal of stimuli in different sensory modalities. We replicated the results of previous studies showing that round shapes are associated with sweet taste, whereas angular shapes are associated with sour and bitter tastes. In addition, we demonstrated a novel effect that the symmetry group of a shape influences how it is associated with taste. A significant relationship was observed between the taste and appraisal scores of the shapes, suggesting that the affective factors of pleasantness and threat underlie the shape-taste correspondence. These results were consistent across cultures, when we compared participants from Taiwanese and Western (UK, US, Canada) cultures. Our findings highlight that perceived pleasantness and threat are culturally common factors involved in at least some crossmodal correspondences.
Keywords
Canada, Culture, Emotions, Female, Form Perception/physiology, Functional Laterality/physiology, Humans, Male, Taiwan, Taste Perception/physiology, United Kingdom, United States, Crossmodal correspondences, Pleasantness, Shape, Symmetry, Taste, Threat
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
10/01/2018 8:20
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:27
Usage data