Are We in Time? How Predictive Coding and Dynamical Systems Explain Musical Synchrony
Caroline Palmėr, Alexander P. Demos
Abstract
Humans tend to anticipate events when they synchronize their actions with sound (such as when they clap to music), which has puzzled scientists for decades. What accounts for this anticipation? We review two theoretical mechanisms for synchrony: predictive coding and dynamical systems. Both theories are grounded in neural activation patterns, but there are important distinctions. We contrast their assumptions, their computations, and their musical applications to anticipatory synchronization.
Topics & Concepts
Predictive codingAnticipation (artificial intelligence)PsychologySynchronization (alternating current)MusicalCoding (social sciences)Contrast (vision)Cognitive psychologyDynamical systems theoryCognitive scienceNeural systemCommunicationComputer scienceNeuroscienceArtificial intelligenceMathematicsVisual artsArtChannel (broadcasting)PhysicsStatisticsQuantum mechanicsComputer networkNeural dynamics and brain functionNeuroscience and Music PerceptionAction Observation and Synchronization