Pitch Perception and Emotional Recognition in Autism Spectrum Disorder
A subset of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) display difficulty tracking the pitch contours of speech. Linguistic pitch contours allow the listener to identify the speaker's emotional state and other pragmatic cues. Difficulty tracking linguistic pitch contours leads to a diminished ability to recognize these important social cues. Interestingly, these pitch tracking deficits do not extend to musical pitch. Linguistic pitch modulates very rapidly, whereas musical pitch does not. These rapid pitch modulations are difficult to track. The work of Nina Kraus and colleagues has shown pitch tracking deficits at the level of the auditory brainstem, one of the earliest stages of processing within the auditory pathway. Dr. Kraus's research has also shown the auditory brainstem's response to be highly receptive to training. Our intervention method utilizes music to train the auditory system to track pitch modulations. The speed of the pitch modulations is gradually increased over the course of the intervention, so as to approach the pitch processing demands of speech. The goal of the intervention is to improve the individual's ability to recognize emotion in speech. Early results show improvements in this outcome.
If you would like to be considered for the next round of intervention sessions, please email Dr. Curtis for more information.
If you would like to be considered for the next round of intervention sessions, please email Dr. Curtis for more information.
The Evolution of Music
Traits and complex behaviors evolve through two selective mechanisms: natural selection and sexual selection. While the former selects for traits and behaviors that increase the odds of survival, the latter selects for traits and behaviors that increase the odds of reproduction. We are currently examining whether musical behaviors are associated with increased odds of reproduction and, if so, why musical behaviors are appealing to prospective mates. Our preliminary results are consistent with the theory that musical behaviors influence mate selection.
Musical Acculturation
Music is often referred to as a "universal language". However, musical systems vary across cultures. Listeners learn the musical rules of their culture through passive longterm musical exposure. Thus, listeners who have not had this longterm exposure to a particular musical system lack the cognitive framework of an acculturated listener, which is evident in perceptual tasks. Our research has shown that Western listeners rely on their knowledge of Western music when making perceptual judgments about Indian music. In collaboration with Dr. Shantala Hegde, we are currently investigating musical improvisation in Western and Indian singers to determine how acculturation shapes musical behaviors.
Musical Regulation of Emotional Responses
Music has the power to cause emotional highs and lows; it fills us with joy, makes us cry, and sometimes makes us want to get up and dance. Listeners widely report using music to regulate emotions. We are currently investigating the psychophysiological responses that accompany the use of music to regulate emotion and to determine how quickly and successfully music can counteract a negative emotion.
Communication of Emotion in Speech and Music
We are currently examining the acoustic parameters that are used to communicate emotion in speech and music. Past research has shown that many parameters are used similarly across domains to communicate specific emotions. Our research has shown this includes some of the pitch patterns that are used to communicate negative emotions in speech and music. These findings suggest that the musical and vocal expression of emotion are firmly intertwined and may have implications for theories on the evolution of music and language. Further research is necessary to determine whether the correspondences noted in our research, which examined American participants, are evident in other cultures, regardless of language and musical system.