Presentation Information
[S6-01]Rhythmic sound development and plasticity in birds, humans, and primates
*Andrea Ravignani1 (1. Dept. of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome (Italy))
Keywords:
development,plasticity,infancy,comparative,vocal rhythm
Rhythm and timing capacities are fundamental aspects of cognition, movement, and communication, essential for human expression, social interaction, and cognitive development. Studying these capacities from a combined developmental and cross-species perspective offers a comprehensive understanding of their complexities, nuances, and evolutionary roots. In this proposed symposium we focus on rhythm in the acoustic domain and discuss its many developmental and cross-species facets.
Why sound? Surely timing and rhythm capacities can manifest in multiple dimensions and modalities. Here we focus on sound as a common thread connecting the different talks because: 1) it is easy to record and measure in empirical contexts; 2) it is also easy to control and administer in experimental contexts; 3) it can be sampled at high temporal resolutions; 4) it connects with abilities that appear early in human life, are plastic, and are present in other species.
Why rhythm? Timing and rhythm have had an interesting historical relationship. By some they are seen as strongly related. Others consider them mechanistically unrelated systems. In both cases, rhythm provides a “twin system” for timing, i.e. the other side of the coin of human timing. Why development and plasticity? Infants as young as a few months old exhibit rhythmic entrainment, synchronizing their movements with external beats. This capacity develops and refines throughout early childhood, laying the foundation for music and language acquisition. Rhythm and timing abilities are closely tied to cognitive development, in e.g. attention, memory, and executive functions.
Studying these relationships provides insights into cognitive development and potential interventions for developmental disorders. Studying infant responses to rhythmic sounds can reveal the earliest manifestations of timing and time perception, shedding light on their developmental origins.
Why sound? Surely timing and rhythm capacities can manifest in multiple dimensions and modalities. Here we focus on sound as a common thread connecting the different talks because: 1) it is easy to record and measure in empirical contexts; 2) it is also easy to control and administer in experimental contexts; 3) it can be sampled at high temporal resolutions; 4) it connects with abilities that appear early in human life, are plastic, and are present in other species.
Why rhythm? Timing and rhythm have had an interesting historical relationship. By some they are seen as strongly related. Others consider them mechanistically unrelated systems. In both cases, rhythm provides a “twin system” for timing, i.e. the other side of the coin of human timing. Why development and plasticity? Infants as young as a few months old exhibit rhythmic entrainment, synchronizing their movements with external beats. This capacity develops and refines throughout early childhood, laying the foundation for music and language acquisition. Rhythm and timing abilities are closely tied to cognitive development, in e.g. attention, memory, and executive functions.
Studying these relationships provides insights into cognitive development and potential interventions for developmental disorders. Studying infant responses to rhythmic sounds can reveal the earliest manifestations of timing and time perception, shedding light on their developmental origins.