[El Efecto BAUBA/KIKI] El EXPERIMENTO ¿Qué NOMBRE le pondrías?

What Do Kiki and Bouba Teach Us About Language and Perception?

Introduction to the Experiment

• The speaker introduces an experiment involving two objects, referred to as Object A and Object B, asking the audience to assign names "Kiki" and "Bouba" to them.

• Over 99% of participants across various languages and ages consistently name one object "Kiki" and the other "Bouba," indicating a universal cognitive association.

Historical Context

• The original experiment was conducted by psychologist Wolfgang Köhler in Tenerife in 1929, using different geometric shapes named "Katek" or "Bauba."

• Despite being overlooked by the scientific community due to historical events, Köhler's work laid the groundwork for understanding language perception.

Modern Relevance

• Subsequent recreations of Köhler's experiment in 2001 and 2006 confirmed that between 95% to 98% of participants assigned names consistently regardless of their native language.

• Notably, children under three years old also exhibited this naming pattern, while individuals with developmental disorders showed different results.

Implications for Language and Thought

• The phenomenon suggests a connection between sensory areas of the brain and our vocalizations when naming objects; “Kiki” is associated with sharpness while “Bouba” relates to roundness.

• This challenges Ferdinand de Saussure’s principle from the 19th century that word meanings are arbitrary; instead, there may be inherent connections between sounds and meanings.

Broader Applications

• J. Peren's theory proposed minimal relationships between words and their referents, which aligns with findings that we assign meanings based on sensory experiences.

• Names can influence perceptions; studies show people associate round faces with softer names like “Bob,” impacting political advantages based on name-face congruence.

Exploring Synesthesia

• The discussion transitions into synesthesia—the blending of senses—where individuals might visualize sounds or taste colors.

• Culinary experiments reveal that presentation affects taste perception; for instance, sweet dishes served on round plates are perceived as sweeter than those on square plates.

Conclusion: The Power of Naming

• Even renaming dishes can alter customer perceptions significantly; changing a dish's name can enhance its appeal despite it being identical in content.

• This highlights how deeply interconnected our sensory experiences are with language, shaping not only communication but also our interactions with food and art.

Understanding Abstract Thought and Perception

Classification of Sensory Experiences

• The discussion begins with a comparison between carbonated water and still water, prompting participants to classify these based on personal sensations rather than logical reasoning.

• This leads into the concept of abstract thought, defined as a uniquely human ability to extract common properties from different realities and engage in symbolic thinking.

Visual Representation in Media

• A reference is made to the film "Inside Out," highlighting how emotions are visually represented through geometric shapes, such as associating joy with circular forms and depression with angular ones.

• The use of triangular shapes for villains conveys danger, while rounded characters symbolize safety and innocence. This illustrates how visual cues influence audience perception.

Impact of Shapes on Perception

• Square shapes represent rigidity and slowness, suggesting that they are less adaptable to change. This ties back into how we perceive characters based on their geometric representation.

• The examples provided stem from a video titled "Geometry of Cinema," emphasizing the profound implications simple shapes have on our mental experiences.

Complexity of Perceptions

• The "Bob-Kiki effect" serves as an example of how integrated perceptions shape our understanding of reality, demonstrating that sensations are not perceived in isolation but as part of a cohesive experience.

Conclusion and Engagement

• The speaker encourages viewers to become more aware of their surroundings after this exploration. They invite sharing the video with friends and subscribing for future content related to sensory experiences.