Phase attraction in sensorimotor synchronization with auditory sequences: effects of single and periodic distractors on synchronization accuracy.

Full Abstract

Four experiments showed that both single and periodic distractor tones affected the timing of finger taps produced in synchrony with an isochronous auditory target sequence. Single distractors had only small effects, but periodic distractors occurring at various fixed or changing phase relationships exerted strong phase attraction. The attraction was asymmetric, being stronger when distractors preceded target tones than when they lagged behind. A large pitch difference between target and distractor tones (20 vs. 3 semitones) did not reduce phase attraction substantially, although in the case of continuously changing phase relationships it did prevent complete capture of the taps by the distractors. The results support the hypothesis that phase attraction is an automatic process that is sensitive primarily to event onsets.

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Author information

Author/s: Repp, Bruno H (BH);

Affiliation: Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, Connecticut 06511-6695, USA. repp(-atsign-)haskins.yale.edu

Grants: MH-51230 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance (J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Apr; vol 29 (issue 2) : pp 290-309

Dates: Created 2003/05/22; Completed 2003/09/09; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 12760616, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Attention
Auditory Perception - physiology
Dichotic Listening Tests
Discrimination (Psychology) - physiology
Female
Field Dependence-Independence
Humans
Male
Middle Aged

Movement - physiology
Pattern Recognition, Automated
Periodicity
Pitch Discrimination
Psychoacoustics
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Reaction Time - physiology
Sensitivity and Specificity
Signal Detection, Psychological - physiology
Time Factors

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