Hemispheric asymmetries in the perception of musical intervals as a function of musical experience and family handedness background

Lucia A. Kellar, Thomas G. Bever

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examines the effect of musical experience and family handedness background on the categorization of musical intervals (two-note chords). Right-handed subjects, who were divided into four groups on the basis of musical training and presence (or absence) of left-handed family members, categorized musical intervals which were monaurally presented to left or right ear. The results, based on consistency and discreteness of categorization, showed: (1) Musicians' performance is superior to nonmusicians'; (2) musicians and nonmusicians differ significantly on their ear of preference; (3) family handedness background significantly affects ear of preference among musicians but not among nonmusicians.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)24-38
Number of pages15
JournalBrain and Language
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1980
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Language and Linguistics
  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Linguistics and Language
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Speech and Hearing

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