Linda Roberts

The Relative Pleasantness and Distinctiveness of a Variety of Auditory Patterns

There are numerous instances in which auditory patterns could be employed to give a variety of signals or messages. The aim of this research was to investigate those sound qualities which contribute to an auditory signals pleasantness and distinctiveness. A variety of auditory schemes were assesed, based on a number of different musical and acoustic dimensions. It was observed that patterns that varied along the rhythmic domain were most easily distinguished while frequency modulated intervals were judged to be most pleasant. The scheme-that optimized both-distinctiveness and pleasantness entailed four-note melodic sequences.