Hemispheric asymmetry in musically-induced color imagery

Author(s)

Donald J. Polzella, University of DaytonFollow
Audrey M. Kuna, University of Dayton
David W. Biers, University of Dayton
Frank DaPolito, University of Dayton

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1983

Publication Source

Psychomusicology: A Journal of Research in Music Cognition

Abstract

Examined the phenomenon of "chromesthesia," a condition in which color images (photisms) are evoked by auditory stimuli, in 72 undergraduates who were asked to rate the strength of color photisms and the degree of listening enjoyment that was evoked by musical excerpts heard in the left ear, right ear, or both ears. Results suggest that chromesthesia is primarily a right-hemispheric function and is related to changes in musical tonality. Contrary to expectation, the findings were not affected by music experience. Chromesthetic intensity and listening enjoyment were positively correlated.

Inclusive pages

64-72

ISBN/ISSN

0275-3987

Volume

2

Issue

2

Peer Reviewed

yes

Keywords

chromesthesia, hemispheric differences, music

eCommons Citation

Polzella, Donald J.; Kuna, Audrey M.; Biers, David W.; and DaPolito, Frank, "Hemispheric asymmetry in musically-induced color imagery" (1983). Psychology Faculty Publications. 108.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/psy_fac_pub/108