Abstract
Memory for brief melodic phrases was tested using a short-term recognition-memory paradigm. The five-note phrases were rhythmically separated from each other and presented in lists four phrases in length. A single five-note test item followed each list and either corresponded rhythmically to one of the phrases as presented in the list (within items) or to the last three notes of one phrase and the first two notes of the next (across items). Within items were easier than across items. Slow presentation (3 notes/sec) was slightly easier than fast (6 notes/see). The J-shaped serial position curve typical of short-term memory for verbal material was obtained. The results support the position that rhythmic grouping of input determines subjective chunking and memory storage, facilitating the recognition of test items chunked in the same way as list items.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aaronson, D. Temporal factors in perception and short-term memory. Psychological Bulletin, 1967, 67, 130–144.
Attneave, F., & Olson, R. K. Pitch as a medium: A new approach to psyehophysical scaling. American Journal of Psychology, 1971, 84, 147–166.
Bower, G. Organizational factors in memory. Cognitive Psychology, 1970, 1, 18–46.
Bower, G., & Winzenz, D. Group structure, coding, and memory for digit series. Journal of Experimental Psychology Monographs, 1969, 80, No. 2, Part 2, 1–17.
Dowling, W. J., & Fujitani, D. S. Contour, interval, and pitch recognition in memory for melodies. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1971, 49, 524–531.
Francès, R.La perception de la musique. Paris: Vrin, 1958.
Miller, G. A. The magic number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review, 1956, 63, 81–97.
Miller, J., & Cuddy, L. L. Tonality as a cue for melody recognition. Experimental Report 72-1, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, 1972.
Norman, D. A., & Wickelgren, W. A. Short term recognition memory for digits and pairs of digits. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1965, 70, 479–489.
Restle, F. Theory of serial pattern learning: Structural trees. Psychological Review, 1970, 77. 481–495.
Restle. F. Serial patterns: The role of phrasing. Journal of Experxmental Psychology. 1972, 92, 385–390.
Restle. F.. & Brown. E Organization of serial pattern learning. In G. H. Bower (Ed.).Psychology of learning and motivation. New York: Academic Press. 1970.
Teplov. B.Psychologie des aptitudes musicales. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France. 1966.
Waugh. N.. & Norman. D. A. Primary memory. Psycholgical Review. 1965, 72, 89–104.
Winzenz, D. Group structure and coding in serial learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1972, 92, 8–19.
Zenatti. A. Le développement génétique de la perception musicale. Monographies Franqaises de Psychologie, 1969, No. 17, 1–110.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported by a grant from the UCLA Academic Senate. Computing time was provided by the Department of Psychology, UCLA. I thank Desda Metropole for orgariizing the sessions and collecting the data, and Dane Harwood, Roberta Greer, and Kelyn Roberts for helpful suggestions.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dowling, W.J. Rhythmic groups and subjective chunks in memory for melodies. Perception & Psychophysics 14, 37–40 (1973). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03198614
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03198614