Two challenges in cognitive musicology.
Two themes in music cognition research are highlighted--inspired by the contributions in this volume: (a) statistical learning and (b) evolutionary theorizing. Our ability to test alternatives to statistical learning is threatened by the rapidly diminishing opportunities for cross-cultural studies unconfounded by bimusicalism. Our ability to infer possible evolutionary origins for music is confounded by the "hedonic plenitude" of modern music-making--where multiple pleasure channels are activated simultaneously. Cognitively inspired music research will benefit by studying a wider range of musical cultures. Evolutionary theorizing will benefit by further work involving comparative animal behavior.
Center for Cognitive Science, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. huron.1@osu.edu
David
D
Huron
D005075:Biological Evolution; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009146:Music