Temporal coding in rhythm tasks revealed by modality effects

Temporal coding has been studied by examining the perception and reproduction ofrhythms and by examining memory for the order of events in a list. We attempt to link these research programs both empirically and theoretically. Glenberg and Swanson (1986) proposed that the superior recall of auditory material, compared with visual material, reflects more accurate temporal coding for the auditory material. In this paper, we demonstrate that a similar modality effect canbe produced in a rhythm task. Auditory rhythmscomposed of stimuli of two durations are reproducedmore accurately than are visual rhythms. Furthermore, it appears that the auditory superiority reflects enhanced chunking ofthe auditory material rather than better identification of durations.