How automatic are crossmodal correspondences?

► Crossmodal correspondences differ from synaesthesia in terms of the relative automaticity of the two phenomena. ► Crossmodal correspondences are not necessarily automatic, despite some claims to the contrary. ► Automaticity difficult to define, but four criteria (goal-independence; non-conscious; load-insensitivity; speed) critical. ► Automaticity of crossmodal correspondences may depend on the sensory modalities involved in the correspondence. ► Automaticity of crossmodal correspondences may depend on the type of correspondence under consideration.