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Song Familiarity Relies on Evidence Accumulation
Jared R Girard1, Aaron Bishop1, Cameron D Hassall1
1Department of Psychology, MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Psychophysiology
|August 1, 2026
Summary
This study reveals that song familiarity relies on evidence accumulation, a decision-making process. Researchers identified a brain signal indicating that evidence for familiarity builds up just before a decision is made.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Auditory Perception
- Decision Making
Background:
- Familiarity judgments are theorized to involve evidence accumulation, where information is gathered until a decision threshold is met.
- The central-parietal positivity (CPP) is a known electroencephalography (EEG) signature of evidence accumulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying song familiarity judgments.
- To determine if evidence accumulation plays a role in recognizing familiar songs.
Main Methods:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded while participants listened to melodies and indicated familiarity.
- Linear regression was employed to isolate and analyze neural responses.
- The central-parietal positivity (CPP) was measured, time-locked to decisions.
Main Results:
- A prominent CPP, time-locked to familiarity decisions, was observed.
- A stimulus-locked indicator of evidence accumulation was identified, increasing before familiarity decisions.
- This suggests individual song notes contribute as evidence for familiarity.
Conclusions:
- Song familiarity is supported by an evidence accumulation process.
- Neural signatures of decision-making, like the CPP, are present during auditory familiarity judgments.
- This research provides insights into the cognitive and neural basis of music recognition.
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