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Cognitive Load Changes during Music Listening and its Implication in Earcon Design in Public Environments: An fNIRS Study

Author

Listed:
  • Eunju Jeong

    (Department of Arts and Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
    Division of Industrial Information Studies, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

  • Hokyoung Ryu

    (Department of Arts and Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
    Graduate School of Technology and Innovation Management, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

  • Geonsang Jo

    (Department of Arts and Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

  • Jaehyeok Kim

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

Abstract

A key for earcon design in public environments is to incorporate an individual’s perceived level of cognitive load for better communication. This study aimed to examine the cognitive load changes required to perform a melodic contour identification task (CIT). While healthy college students ( N = 16) were presented with five CITs, behavioral (reaction time and accuracy) and cerebral hemodynamic responses were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Our behavioral findings showed a gradual increase in cognitive load from CIT1 to CIT3 followed by an abrupt increase between CIT4 (i.e., listening to two concurrent melodic contours in an alternating manner and identifying the direction of the target contour, p < 0.001) and CIT5 (i.e., listening to two concurrent melodic contours in a divided manner and identifying the directions of both contours, p < 0.001). Cerebral hemodynamic responses showed a congruent trend with behavioral findings. Specific to the frontopolar area (Brodmann’s area 10), oxygenated hemoglobin increased significantly between CIT4 and CIT5 ( p < 0.05) while the level of deoxygenated hemoglobin decreased. Altogether, the findings indicate that the cognitive threshold for young adults (CIT5) and appropriate tuning of the relationship between timbre and pitch contour can lower the perceived cognitive load and, thus, can be an effective design strategy for earcon in a public environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Eunju Jeong & Hokyoung Ryu & Geonsang Jo & Jaehyeok Kim, 2018. "Cognitive Load Changes during Music Listening and its Implication in Earcon Design in Public Environments: An fNIRS Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:10:p:2075-:d:171337
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    1. William Ocasio, 2011. "Attention to Attention," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(5), pages 1286-1296, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eunju Jeong & Susan J. Ireland, 2022. "Criterion-Related Validation of a Music-Based Attention Assessment for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, December.

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