Bouba/kiki effect
Bouba/Kiki Effect
The Bouba/Kiki Effect (pronunciation: /ˈbuːbə/ /ˈkiːkiː/) is a non-arbitrary mapping between speech sounds and the visual shape of objects. This effect was first observed by German-American psychologist Wolfgang Köhler in 1929.
Etymology
The terms "Bouba" and "Kiki" were coined by Köhler to represent two different shapes, one rounded and the other angular. The names do not have a specific etymological origin but were chosen for their phonetic qualities.
Description
In the Bouba/Kiki Effect, people are likely to match the rounded shape with the word "Bouba" and the angular shape with the word "Kiki". This effect demonstrates the ideasthesia phenomenon, where activation of concepts (ideas) evokes perception-like experiences.
Related Terms
- Synesthesia: A perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.
- Phonaesthetics: A branch of linguistics that deals with the aesthetic properties of sounds.
- Semiotics: The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.
Research
Research on the Bouba/Kiki Effect has implications for understanding language development, neural plasticity, and the evolution of languages. It has been found to be universal across cultures, suggesting a common brain organization.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bouba/kiki effect
- Wikipedia's article - Bouba/kiki effect
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