Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Aurora Torres
Committee Member
Sandra Carpenter
Committee Member
Eric A. Seemann
Subject(s)
Sensorimotor integration, Laterality, Tempo (Music), Musical meter and rhythm
Abstract
Previous neurological literature has proposed a potential specialization of the right hemisphere for tempo processes; however, this hypothesis had yet to be tested via behavioral measures within the cognitive literature. The present study was designed to investigate a potential specialization of the right hemisphere in tempo perception and production using a dichotic listening task paradigm by employing a 2 (Target Ear: left, right) x 2 (Responding Hand: left, right) x 3 (Target Stimulus: same, decreasing, increasing) in a within subjects design presenting isochronous tones. Although an ear advantage for tempo perception ability was not detected, we confirmed the left ear advantage when performing a synchronization-continuation tapping task. The results implicate the recruitment of a “timekeeper” mechanism that is likely lateralized to the right hemisphere. The data offer tentative support for the oscillator models related to rhythm and the callosal relay model regarding lateralization of function.
Recommended Citation
Noneman, Robert P., "Lateralization of tempo processing and sensorimotor synchronization" (2016). Theses. 197.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/197
