earticle

영어

Empirical research is warranted to determine effective ways to utilize paired associate music to facilitate recall and learning. The purpose of this study was to isolate and determine the effects of mode and rhythm on working memory as measured by sequential digit recall performance. Participants were music majors (n=30) and nonmusic majors (n=30) at a large comprehensive university. Participants listened to six different treatment stimuli of monosyllabic digits paired with: (a) a major melody and rhythm, (b) a natural minor melody and rhythm, (c) a mixolydian melody and rhythm, (d) a major melody without rhythm, (e) a natural minor melody without rhythm, and (f) a mixolydian melody without rhythm. Results indicated a significant interaction between mode and rhythm, demonstrating that rhythm facilitated recall most during the natural minor mode condition but not during the mixolydian mode condition. Analyses of estimated marginal means indicated that participants were able to recall information paired with major modes best, followed by minor and mixolydian modes, respectively. Additionally, participants were able to recall information paired with melodies that contained a rhythmic component better than information paired with melodies without a rhythmic component. Although not significant, music majors tended to slightly outperform nonmusic majors. Consistent with previous research, participants were able to recall information in primacy and recency serial positions most accurately. From the results of this study, memory and learning may be enhanced by pairing information with major melodies and rhythm. Limitations, implications for clinical practice, and suggestions for future research are provided.