Abstract
Synaesthesia has a strong genetic component and is associated with structural differences within the brain. Apart from unusual perceptual experiences, there is anecdotal evidence suggests that people with synaesthesia are also inclined towards certain interests and activities (e.g., towards the arts). However, it remains unclear whether synaesthetes may also have an atypical personality profile as compared to matched controls. In this study, we assessed a group of grapheme-colour synaesthetes ( N = 81) and a group of age- and gender-matched controls ( N = 112). Participants in both groups completed behavioural measures of consistency and a standard measure of personality (Big Five Inventory) along with two questionnaire measures of empathy. Synaesthetes, relative to controls, reported higher levels of Openness to Experience, ‘Fantasizing’ on one of the empathy measures but also lower levels of Agreeableness. The results support the notion that non-pathological unusual perceptual experiences are linked to particular personality traits.
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