AFFECTIVE AROUSAL TO MUSIC AS A FUNCTION OF DEVIATIONS IN PERCEIVED COMPLEXITY FROM AN ADAPTATION LEVEL,
Abstract
This study consisted of six investigations, four of which were necessary to develop original musi cal stimulus items which varied as nearly as possible on a simplicity-complexity dimension. The last two studies constituted tests of the above theoretical statement by; (1) exposing Ss to the musical selections and having them evalu ate the items for both complexity and affect and, (2) by attempting to move the adaptation level through frequent exposure of one of the items. The first of the two testing studies was made up of three sessions; session one consisted of a paired comparison measure for perception of com plexity; session two of two affect measures (paired comparison and five point Likert-type scale); and the third session of a pre-test affect measure, repetition of the most-liked selection twenty-one times, and a post-test affect measure. The findings were that with minor exceptions, the hypothesized model of positive affect for minor deviations and negative affect for major deviations from adaptation level was upheld. These data tend to support McClelland's theory of the affective arousal model. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 27, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0413361
Entities
People
- Carl E. Pitts
- Richard Echarms
Organizations
- Washington University in St. Louis