Absolute pitch and serial digit recall under irrelevant speech conditions: investigating automatic pitch class labelling through cognitive psychology
Date
2024-03
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A serial digit recall experiment was conducted to test for differences in short-term memory (STM)
interference in both absolute pitch (AP) and non-absolute pitch (NAP) possessors under irrelevant
pitch conditions. Participants (n = 20) all completed a screening test in order to determine AP
status, recording both mean semitone deviation (MD) and reaction time (RT). A cutoff of less than
0.5 MD used to determine AP possession and the results of outliers in RT were removed under the
assumption relative pitch (RP) skills were being used. The serial experiment required participants
to recall visually presented digit sequences of length 7 and 9, and was conducted either under an
auditory interference condition or silence. The interference condition consisted of auditorily
presented pure tones (sine waves) during both the initial digit presentation retention interval (10
seconds). A significant effect was found for sequence length (p<0.001) and condition (p<0.001), the
latter of which replicates the ‘irrelevant pitch effect’ in digit recall found by Jones and Macken
(1993); LeCompte, Neely, and Wilson (1997); and Williamson, Hitch, and Baddeley (2010b). However,
although it approached significance (p=0.524), no significant interaction effect between AP group
and condition was found, contrary to the results found by Miyazaki (2004b). As such, these results
do not demonstrate evidence of the presence of innate verbal labels being applied to pitches
perceived by AP possessors. Prior to experimentation a comprehensive literature review of verbal
STM, STM interference effects, pitch perception, and AP possession was conducted, with a particular
focus
on the intersection between STM interference effects and STM of pitch.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MMus)--Stellenbosch University, 2024.