Absolute pitch is disrupted by a memory illusion.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Auditory Perception
• Music Cognition

Background:

• Absolute pitch (AP) possessors exhibit superior pitch memory compared to non-possessors.
• Short-term memory for pitch is susceptible to external influences, impacting accuracy.
• Previous models suggest a bidimensional nature of pitch memory systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the accuracy of short-term pitch memory in absolute pitch (AP) possessors versus non-possessors.
• To examine the influence of embedded tones on short-term pitch memory distortions.
• To test a bidimensional model of short-term pitch memory.

Main Methods:

• Participants (AP possessors and non-possessors) performed a short-term memory task for pitch.
• A test tone was followed by six intervening tones and a probe tone.
• Intervening sequences sometimes included tones that could induce pitch illusions.

Main Results:

• While AP possessors showed greater accuracy, both groups were susceptible to pitch illusions.
• An embedded tone, identical or an octave removed from the probe, increased illusory conjunctions.
• This illusion led to increased judgments that the test and probe tones were identical.

Conclusions:

• Short-term pitch memory, even in AP possessors, is vulnerable to pitch-time illusory conjunctions.
• The underlying pitch memory system is bidimensional, involving both pitch height and pitch class.
• Findings support and refine existing models of short-term pitch memory.