An investigation of the effects of low-intensity ultrasonic tones upon the performance on the Seashore measures of musical talents

This study is an investigation of the effects of high-frequency ultrasonic stimulation upon the perception of pitch, time, loudness, timbre, rhythm and tonal memory as tested in the measurements of Musical Talents of Dr. Carl E. Seashore. The purpose of this study was to investigate a problem that could possibly be related directly to a scientific theory of the psychological effects of music upon people. This study may also be related in some way to a determination of the effects of ultrasonic tones. Materials used in this study were: (1) The Seashore "Measures of Musical Talents" Records Form B. (2) A record playing machine for the playing of the Seashore records which contained the test used in this study. (3) A high frequency sound producing machine capable of producing tones of 20,000 v. p. s. and 10,000 v. p. s. The Seashore examinations were administered to 100 students of the University of Houston during 30 examining sessions. There was a random sampling obtained of 39 female students and 61 male students. Each of these students was asked to classify themselves as either musical or non-musical for purposes of securing a sampling that would give a wide range of scores on the sections of the tests administered...