JOHN RYAN P.

MANAGUIT ABPS2-A
Cognitive Psychology Prelim Project

Title: Music Perception Influences Language Acquisition: Melodic and Rhythmic-Melodic

Perception in Children with Specific Language Impairment.

1. What is the purpose of the article?

Children diagnosed with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) show deficits mainly in
grammar processing (e.g., morphosyntax), phonology, and word learning. Because of their
impaired language, they form a high-risk group for problems in school, as well as in other cognitive
or social-emotional areas. Several theoretical accounts proposed that, particularly during early
language acquisition, language is rather perceived as music. Both are based on acoustic
information, involving a limited number of categorical elements or classes (phonemes and tones)
that are organized in structured sequences according to specific regularities. The study aims to add
knowledge of whether children with SLI differ from typically developing children with regard to
music perception.
2. Why is it important to investigate or examine the subject of the article?
In order for the study to gain the expected result in using music perception to children with SLI.
To determine whether there is a link between speech perception and different aspects of music
perception (melodic and rhythmic-melodic perception, as well as melody recognition).
3. How are the authors carrying out the task? Are their methods and comments appropriate and
adequate to the task?
First, the authors compared the results of children with SLI in the language screening and their
nonverbal intelligence to those of typically developing children. They also determined, using one-
sample -tests, whether the response probabilities were significantly above chance level. Then, they
explored whether the experimental groups showed differences in music perception, comparable to
the differences in their linguistic abilities. Finally, the performance in music perception tasks was
related to that in the language comprehension and working memory subtests of the language
screening and variables reflecting their socioeconomic background (given that the status values of
their mother’s profession could not be perfectly matched).
4. What do they claim to have found out? Are the findings clearly stated?
The author’s results claims that exploring music perception skills can inform theories about
typical and impaired language acquisition. For this reason, the tasks used in the study should be
further developed: Musical material can be a useful indicator of language processing difficulties,
because it allows exploring skills that are prerequisites of successful language perception.
 5. How does this advance knowledge in the field?
The study may contribute in giving new information about children who are diagnosed with
SLI. It could also help in opening new perspectives for diagnosis and therapies for those children.
6. What did you learn how did this study affect you as a student of cognitive psychology?

As a student of Cognitive Psychology, I learned that perception could be of great help in improving
a person’s knowledge. It teaches us that we learn in different ways, we look at things and assess
situations in different perspectives. The study helped me understand more how our mind works and
how flexible it is in gaining informations and knowledge.