10.26262/HJP.V16I3.7899
Papadopoulou, Εleftheria
Kosmidis, Mary H.
ΒRAIN LATERALITY DURING MELODY PROCESSING IN MUSICIANS AND NON-MUSICIANS
Hellenic Journal of Psychology
2020
Hemispheric superiority; Laterality; Music processing strategies
2020-12-14
2020-12-14
2020-12-14
2021-04-07
el
Article
46-1063-7899
265-287 Pages
We examined brain laterality during melody processing and its relationship to processing strategies (analytic vs. holistic) in musicians and non-musicians. Participants performed a multiple-choice task with melodies presented binaurally, and indicated the strategy used to identify them. Musicians demonstrated left hemisphere dominance during melody recognition, but non-musicians, right hemisphere dominance. This group difference may reflect enhanced left hemisphere involvement in the musicians. We found no association between laterality and self-reported strategy, although analytical processing was mildly associated with stronger right ear preference, and holistic processing with left ear preference. Women demonstrated greater right hemispheric dominance when using analytical strategies, while men showed the reverse pattern. Our findings may reflect brain plasticity and the ability of musical training to activate specific processing strategies.
Hellenic Journal of Psychology, Vol 16, No 3 (2019)