A new approach to measuring absolute pitch on a psychometric theory of isolated pitch perception: Is it disentangling specific groups or capturing a continuous ability?

Author(s)

Germano, Nayana Di Giuseppe ^[1] ; Cogo-Moreira, Hugo ^[2] ; Coutinho-Lourenco, Fausto ^[3] ; Bortz, Graziela ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Santa Maria, Dept Mus, Santa Maria, RS - Brazil

^[2] Univ Hong Kong, Sch Publ Hlth, Hong Kong - Peoples R China

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Mus, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 16, n. 2 FEB 22 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Absolute Pitch (AP) is commonly defined as a rare ability that allows an individual to identify any pitch by name. Most researchers use classificatory tests for AP which tracks the number of isolated correct answers. However, each researcher chooses their own procedure for what should be considered correct or incorrect in measuring this ability. Consequently, it is impossible to evaluate comparatively how the stimuli and criteria classify individuals in the same way. We thus adopted a psychometric perspective, approaching AP as a latent trait. Via the Latent Variable Model, we evaluated the consistency and validity for a measure to test for AP ability. A total of 783 undergraduate music students participated in the test. The test battery comprised 10 isolated pitches. All collected data were analyzed with two different rating criteria (perfect and imperfect) under three Latent Variable Model approaches: continuous (Item Response Theory with two and three parameters), categorical (Latent Class Analysis), and the Hybrid model. According to model fit information indices, the perfect approach (only exact pitch responses as correct) measurement model had a better fit under the trait (continuous) specification. This contradicts the usual assumption of a division between AP and non-AP possessors. Alternatively, the categorical solution for the two classes demonstrated the best solution for the imperfect approach (exact pitch responses and semitone deviations considered as correct). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/08377-4 - Absolute Pitch and Relative Pitch: A Comparative Study of Cognitive Abilities
• Grantee: Nayana Di Giuseppe Germano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/02133-4 - The effects of Guri Santa Marcelina Program on social and cognitive abilities of children exposed to Guri Santa Marcelina Program at Greater São Paulo: a quasi-experimental study
• Grantee: Graziela Bortz
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research in Public Policies