Pietro San Martini

Laterality in the perception of temporal cues of musical timbre

Laterality in the perception of non-stationary aspects of musical timbre was investigated in 54 right-handed non-musicians. Timbre differences were produced by altering the amplitude envelope of a steady-state complex tone. Two single-choice tests with attention directed to one ear were used--a dichotic test and a monaural test with contralateral white noise. Dependent variables were reaction time and accuracy. Both tests showed a significant left ear advantage for reaction time. For the accuracy variable, a significant left ear advantage was found only in the monaural test. Results are briefly discussed in terms of their compatibility with the generally accepted notion that spectral and temporal integrations of sounds are primarily functions of the right and left hemisphere, respectively.

Hemispheric Asymmetries in the Perception of Rapid (Timbral) and Slow (Nontimbral) Amplitude Fluctuations of Complex Tones

Hemispheric asymmetries for processing rapid (timbral) and slow (nontimbral) amplitude fluctuations of complex tones were investigated in 32 right-handed nonmusicians. Two monaural matching-to-sample tests with contralateral white noise and attention directed to 1 ear were used, 1 with tones presenting slow fluctuations of amplitude and 1 with tones presenting rapid fluctuations of amplitude perceived as different timbres. Stimuli were generated by altering the amplitude envelope of a steady state complex tone. Dependent variables were reaction time and accuracy. The results suggest an important role for the right hemisphere in the perception of temporal variations of intensity of sounds both when these variations are rapid and perceived as timbral qualities and when they are slow and perceived as changes of loudness.

Psychometric properties of an Italian version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) Scale.

This study examined the psychometric properties of a newly translated Italian version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR–R) Scale. The sample comprised 1,363 adults (906 women, 456 men, 1 unreported sex; ages 18–64 yr., M=33.4, SD=8.9; 84.4% reported being engaged in a romantic relationship, 9.4% declared being single), all living in Italy and speaking Italian as their first language. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed the expected bi-factorial (anxiety/avoidance) structure and a close correspondence between factors and scales. Test-retest and internal consistency reliabilities were adequate. Correlations with the Relationship Questionnaire, a categorical measure of attachment, and with the Dyadic Adjustment Scale were consistent with the theoretical relations among the constructs. The findings confirm the transcultural validity of the ECR–R.

Validity of Criteria-Based Content Analysis (CBCA) at trial in free-narrative interviews

OBJECTIVE The reliability of child witness testimony in sexual abuse cases is often controversial, and few tools are available. Criteria-Based Content Analysis (CBCA) is a widely used instrument for evaluating psychological credibility in cases of suspected child sexual abuse. Only few studies have evaluated CBCA scores in children suspected of being sexually abused. We designed this study to investigate the reliability of CBCA in discriminating allegations of child sexual abuse during court hearings, by comparing CBCA results with the courts final, unappealable sentence. We then investigated whether CBCA scores correlated with age, and whether some criteria were better than others in distinguishing cases of confirmed and unconfirmed abuse. METHODS From a pool of 487 child sexual abuse cases, confirmed and unconfirmed cases were selected using various criteria including child IQ≥70, agreement between the final trial outcome and the opinion of 3 experts, presence of at least 1 independent validating informative component in cases of confirmed abuse, and absence of suggestive questions during the childs testimonies. This screening yielded a study sample of 60 confirmed and 49 unconfirmed cases. The 14 item version of CBCA was applied to child witness testimony by 2 expert raters. RESULTS Of the 14 criteria tested, 12 achieved satisfactory inter-rater agreement (Maxwells Random Error). Analyses of covariance, with case group (confirmed vs. unconfirmed) and gender as independent variables and age as a covariate, showed no main effect of gender. Analyses of the interaction showed that the simple effects of abuse were significant in both sex. Nine CBCA criteria were satisfied more often among confirmed than unconfirmed cases; seven criteria increased with age. CONCLUSION CBCA scores distinguish between confirmed and unconfirmed cases. The criteria that distinguish best between the 2 groups are Quantity of Details, Interactions, and Subjective Experience. CBCA scores correlate positively with age, and independently from abuse; all the criteria test except 2 (Unusual Details and Misunderstood Details) increase with age. The agreement rate could be increased by merging criteria Unusual and Superfluous details that achieve a low inter-rater agreement when investigated separately. PRACTICE IMPLICATION Given its ability to distinguish between confirmed and unconfirmed cases of suspected child abuse, the CBCA could be a useful tool for expert opinion. Because our strict selection criteria make it difficult to generalize our results, further studies should investigate whether the CBCA is equally useful in the cases we excluded from our study (for example mental retardation).

Relationships between the factorial dimensions of the Strelau temperament inventory and the EPQ-R

Abstract The relationship between the Strelau Temperament Inventory and the EPQ-R was examined by correlating factor scores derived from both questionnaires. The results show that both instruments share a large amount of common variance and give further support to the hypothesis of a convergence between the dimension of Excitatory strength and the dimension of Extraversion.

Deutsch's frequency anisotropy and ear advantage in a dichotic test of musical chords

Deutsch [Music Perception 3(2), 127-154, 1985] outlined an effect of frequency anisotropy occurring in dichotic tests which may challenge the usual interpretation of such tests in terms of functional asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres. This study is aimed at verifying the relevance of Deutschs findings in the case of a dichotic test of musical chords. A single choice dichotic chord test was administered to two groups of subjects (N = 20, N = 28) with different levels of musical competence. The results show that the left ear advantage obtained cannot be explained on the basis of Deutschs effect.

The Strelau temperament inventory: preliminary results in an Italian sample

Abstract Psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Strelau Temperament Inventory (STI) were obtained from an Italian sample of 296 university students. Distribution for the three scales (SE, strength of excitation; SI, strength of inhibition; and M, mobility) did not deviate from normality. Men scored higher than women on the SE. Split-half reliabilities and coefficients of internal consistency were of moderate size. SE was positively related to M and to SI. Two significant factors emerged from factor analysis: an SI factor and a mixed SE and M factor. Results are discussed in terms of the current literature.