Presentation Information
[P3-13]Time on my hands: Examination of overlapping rhythmic synchronization mechanisms across sensory modalities
*Chloe Mondok1, Martin Wiener1 (1. George Mason University (United States of America))
Keywords:
oscillations,SMA,synchronization-continuation,Hz,tapping
Proper synchronization mechanisms are necessary for maintaining an understanding of our ever-changing environments. The supplementary motor area (SMA) plays a key role in dynamically processing this information to ensure accuracies in time perception when adapting to these changes. Previous literature has reported differences in synchronization optimization across sensory modalities, namely discrepancies in optimal oscillatory processing dependent on modality type and context. Preferred tapping rates, in which tapping synchronization error is minimal, are commonly used to investigate neural synchronization mechanisms across contexts. Numerous studies have demonstrated that preferred tapping rates have higher frequencies for auditory than visual stimuli, though these frequencies range across the literature. Here, we replicate and extend work by Kaya and Henry (2022) by investigating preferred tapping rates across both auditory and visual rhythms ranging from .5 to 3 Hz. The experiment follows a synchronization-continuation design wherein participants are instructed to tap along to either woodblock tones (auditory metronome) or to a circle moving across the vertical plane (visual metronome) on a computer monitor for five beats followed by maintaining that tapping rate in the absence of stimuli for seven beats. Preliminary data (n = 19) suggest no difference in preferred tapping rates between auditory and visual modalities, contrary to previous findings. Data collection will continue in a subsequent experiment (n = 20) in which participants are instructed to tap in between metronome beats, rather than on-time, in order to explore whether syncopation elicits differences in synchronization mechanisms as shown through shifts in preferred tapping rates.