Rhythmic Entrainment & Temporal Order Memory
Can isochronous auditory rhythms act as a temporal scaffold to enhance the encoding of visual episodic memory for temporal order?
In-Sync Condition
The musical downbeat lands exactly when each image appears. This alignment may create temporal markers that enhance memory for the order of events.
Overview
This honors thesis investigates whether rhythmic elements in music can enhance our ability to remember the order of a sequence of events. Specifically, I'm testing whether an isochronous auditory rhythm can act as a temporal scaffold to improve encoding of visual episodic memory for temporal order.
Building upon Jones & Ward's (2019) findings that rhythmic temporal structure enhances recognition memory, this research extends the investigation to temporal order judgments using ecologically valid stimuli, specifically instrumental techno music.
The Research Question
Many students listen to music while studying. But does rhythmic music actually help or hurt memory encoding? And specifically, can rhythm help us remember when things happened?
Central Question
Can an isochronous auditory rhythm act as a temporal scaffold to enhance the encoding of visual episodic memory for temporal order?
Theoretical Framework: Dynamic Attending Theory
Dynamic Attending Theory (DAT) proposes that attention fluctuates rhythmically and can synchronize with external rhythmic stimuli. When auditory rhythms align with visual presentation timing, attention may be optimally allocated at each stimulus onset, potentially enhancing encoding.
Previous research (Jones & Ward, 2019) found that rhythmic presentation enhances recognition memory. This thesis extends that finding to test whether rhythm also enhances temporal order memory, which involves remembering the sequence of events, not just the events themselves.
Methodology
Design
Within-subjects design with 4 audio conditions randomized across 40 trials (10 per condition). This allows each participant to serve as their own control.
Audio Conditions
1. Techno track IN-SYNC with images
2. Techno track OUT-OF-SYNC
3. Ambient drone (no rhythm)
4. Isochronous metronome
Task: Temporal Order Judgment
Encoding: View 10 neutral scene images sequentially while
hearing audio.
Test: See 2 random images from the sequence, judge which
appeared first. Retrieval occurs in silence.
Dependent Variables
Accuracy: Proportion of correct temporal order judgments
Reaction Time: Speed of correct responses
Both measured via jsPsych with millisecond precision.
Why Techno Music?
No interference with the phonological loop or semantic processing
Consistent, predictable beat structure ideal for testing entrainment
Real music that people actually listen to while studying
More engaging than metronomes while maintaining experimental control
Individual Difference Controls
To account for variability, participants complete three validated questionnaires:
- STAI, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al., 1983)
- Gold-MSI, the Goldsmith Musical Sophistication Index (Müllensiefen et al., 2014)
- ACS, the Attentional Control Survey (Derryberry & Reed, 2002)
Hypothesis
Primary Prediction
Participants in the in-sync techno condition will show significantly higher accuracy and faster reaction times in temporal order judgments compared to the out-of-sync, ambient, and metronome conditions.
Rationale
When the musical beat aligns with image presentation, attention should be optimally synchronized at each stimulus onset. This rhythmic entrainment may create stronger temporal markers in memory, making it easier to reconstruct the order of events during retrieval.
Technical Implementation
jsPsych
JavaScript library for behavioral experiments. I coded the entire experiment from scratch, handling precise audio-visual synchronization and millisecond-accurate response timing.
Pavlovia
Online experiment hosting platform integrated with jsPsych. Enables both in-lab and remote data collection with secure, encrypted data storage.
Audio Engineering
Custom techno track with precisely mapped downbeats. Audio levels capped at 75dB per OSHA guidelines. Participants can adjust volume during practice trials.
Expected Implications
UX Design: Interface Pacing
If rhythmic synchronization enhances temporal memory, this could inform the design of onboarding flows, tutorials, and educational interfaces where sequence matters. Rhythmic audio cues could help users remember the order of steps.
Educational Technology
Understanding how music affects temporal memory encoding could guide recommendations for study habits and the design of learning applications that incorporate audio.
Cognitive Science Theory
This research will extend Dynamic Attending Theory to temporal order memory, contributing to our understanding of how cross-modal rhythmic synchronization affects episodic memory encoding.
Current Status
Literature Review & Design
Completed review of DAT literature and finalized experimental design
IRB Approval
Received ethics approval from UCSB Institutional Review Board
Experiment Development
Coded full experiment in jsPsych with audio synchronization
Pilot Testing
Currently running pilot tests to validate procedures and timing
Data Collection
Full data collection from UCSB participant pool
Analysis & Write-up
Statistical analysis and thesis completion
Interested in this research?
This thesis is currently in progress. Check back for results, or get in touch to discuss the methodology and implications.