Author(s): Sam Webster, Jordanelle A. Caldwell, Bridger J. Hubble, Jason M. Walters, Micah Yerman, Damian V. Jesus, Brinley Sullivan, Austin Judi
Mentor(s): Lynn H. White
Institution SUU
Analog sounds include live sounds and analog recordings, if they are played through an analog device such as a vinyl record player or cassette tape player. Digital sounds refer to those sounds which began as an analog recording, were converted to binary code, converted back to analog, and then played through a digital device such as a smart phone, computer, or digital TV. Although live sounds and analog recordings produce sound waves that are continuous and sinusoidal, digital sound waves are discrete and assume a square wave format. We previously showed that compared to an analog recording, a digital recording of the same song produced greater EEG asymmetry in both alpha and beta frequency bands. The specific asymmetry patterns produced by digital sound is the same as other researchers found to be associated with decreased empathy and increased aggression. We also showed that digital sound impacts sympathetic nervous system activity in a way indicative of increased stress and decreased well-being (manuscript in progress). In the present study, male and female participants were randomly assigned to hear an analog recording of a babbling brook, or a digital recording of the same soundtrack. We connected the participants to a 32-channel EEG system. Recording began and they relaxed for five minutes. They next completed the PANAS mood questionnaire. They then began hearing the recorded sound and EEG was recorded for another five minutes. After this and with the sounds still playing, they took the PANAS again, followed by a questionnaire to measure state aggression. Lastly, they completed a state measure of empathy. Data collection is ongoing and will be completed in time for the conference. We hypothesize that relative to analog sound, participants exposed to the digital sound will show 1. greater EEG asymmetry for both alpha and beta frequencies, 2. experience a decrease in mood over baseline, 3. Increased state aggression, and 4. decreased state empathy. Beyond generalizing the effect of recorded sounds to include nature sounds, these results would have profound implications on a phenomenon which, apart from in our lab, has never been investigated by anyone, worldwide.