Cognitive models of music psychology and the lateralisation of musical function within the brain

Abstract

In this study, a computer-based musical composition task was used to access higher order musical representations of adult nonmusicians, and patients having undergone left-or right-sided anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Compositions were rated according to the main features of cognitive structuralist models of pitch, tonality, rhythm, and phrase structure (musical grouping), as well as in terms of their nontonal complexity. The results showed that all participants created compositions that contained features typical of Western tonal music. The a priori music-theoretical structure of the cognitive models, however, was not reflected in the data. Laterality effects were observed for the left a..