ABSTRACT
Separate lines of research have demonstrated relations between auditory temporal processing and language ability and between information processing speed and intelligence. Because these processes have rarely been studied in the same sample, it is unclear how auditory temporal processing and information processing speed may operate together and how they may relate to cognitive functions including language. The overarching aim of this dissertation was to integrate these lines of research to better understand whether auditory temporal processing has a unique relation with language, or whether it relates more broadly to language and other cognitive functions as a part of global information processing speed. Study 1 examined auditory temporal processing, information processing speed, language ability, and intelligence in 4-6 year olds (N=47). Results revealed that auditory temporal processing and information processing speed correlated with age and with each other, but previously identified correlations with language and intelligence were not supported. Results raised questions about the auditory temporal processing measure used, thus Study 2 involved a mixed methodological scoping review to disentangle behavioural measures and constructs of auditory temporal processing in the extant literature. The review identified five categories of tasks that reportedly measure six auditory temporal processing constructs. Study 3 was planned as a pilot of three, child-friendly auditory temporal processing tasks that were designed and programmed based on Study 3 results, using a sample of adults and investigating the same relations as Study 1. Data collection was interrupted by Covid-19, thus Study 3 was written as a pre-registration and Study 4 involved a feasibility assessment for measuring auditory temporal processing online. Results revealed that measuring auditory temporal processing online shows promise, but must first be tested to ensure accuracy, precision, and quality of stimuli in the specific context of the tasks being used due to the potential impact on millisecond level timing. Although the direction of this dissertation took a step back to disentangle questions outside of the original overall aim, the collective results return the field to a place where the original questions may be investigated with better clarity about important considerations that need to be made moving forward. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of background sounds (rap music and rock music specifically) on the speed of an adult's ability to problem solve. These two popular genres of music within the adult population carry a negative relationship between rap and rock music on the listener in previous studies. For this study, participants were recruited from around the world via social media. There were no statistically significant findings in problem solving speed across all conditions (classical, rap, rock, background conversations, and silence), likely due to a small sample size as a result of Covid-19. Those who listened to rock music performed on average the fastest of the music genres. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)