Auditory Reaction Time and Behavioral Working Memory Differences Between Musicians and Non-Musicians
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Music, Cognition, Reaction Times
Abstract
Previous research investigating working memory functioning between musicians and non-musicians has demonstrated differences related to music experience in auditory reaction tasks. This body of research suggests music experience may be related to faster reaction times to auditory stimuli. In addition to reaction times recorded by clicking a mouse while listening to a tonal oddball, participants in the current study performed six subtests of the TOMAL-2, a standardized measure of working memory ability, documenting participants visual, auditory, and executive functioning modules of working memory. Our hypotheses are that means of performance on all three subtests of the TOMAL-2 will be higher in the musician group compared to non-musicians, and that musicians will, on average, record faster reaction times to various tonal difference conditions. Results of the current study will contribute to the understanding of differences in cognitive processing related to long-term music experience.
Recommended Citation
Richardson, Benjamin; Felke, Zach; Medrano, Marisha; Whorley, Grace; and Williams, Hannah, "Auditory Reaction Time and Behavioral Working Memory Differences Between Musicians and Non-Musicians" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 141.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/posters/141
Poster Number
51
Department/Program
Psychology
Additional Mentoring Department
Psychology
Auditory Reaction Time and Behavioral Working Memory Differences Between Musicians and Non-Musicians
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Previous research investigating working memory functioning between musicians and non-musicians has demonstrated differences related to music experience in auditory reaction tasks. This body of research suggests music experience may be related to faster reaction times to auditory stimuli. In addition to reaction times recorded by clicking a mouse while listening to a tonal oddball, participants in the current study performed six subtests of the TOMAL-2, a standardized measure of working memory ability, documenting participants visual, auditory, and executive functioning modules of working memory. Our hypotheses are that means of performance on all three subtests of the TOMAL-2 will be higher in the musician group compared to non-musicians, and that musicians will, on average, record faster reaction times to various tonal difference conditions. Results of the current study will contribute to the understanding of differences in cognitive processing related to long-term music experience.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Ralf Greenwald