We describe some characteristics of persistent musical and verbal retrieval episodes, commonly known as "earworms." In Study 1, participants first filled out a survey summarizing their earworm experiences retrospectively. This was followed by a diary study to document each experience as it happened. Study 2 was an extension of the diary study with a larger sample and a focus on triggering events. Consistent with popular belief, these persistent musical memories were common across people and occurred frequently for most respondents, and were often linked to recent exposure to preferred music. Contrary to popular belief, the large majority of such experiences were not unpleasant. Verbal earworms were uncommon. These memory experiences provide an interesting example of extended memory retrieval for music in a naturalistic situation.
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April 2011
Research Article|
April 01 2011
The Persistence of Musical Memories: A Descriptive Study of Earworms
James C. Bartlett
James C. Bartlett
University of Texas at Dallas
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Music Perception (2011) 28 (4): 425–432.
Citation
Andrea R. Halpern, James C. Bartlett; The Persistence of Musical Memories: A Descriptive Study of Earworms. Music Perception 1 April 2011; 28 (4): 425–432. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/mp.2011.28.4.425
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