The effectiveness of three-dimensional computer animation on listeners affective and cognitive responses towards contemporary electronic spacemusic utilizing three-dimensional audio (surround sound)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of specially designed three-dimensional (3-D) animations in guiding novice listeners to heighten cognitive awareness of and deeper affective reactions to components of contemporary electronic spacemusic. The primary research questions considered were: Is there a statistically significant difference on affective or cognitive responses toward contemporary electronic spacemusic between subjects who experience an audio-only presentation of contemporary electronic spacemusic and those who experience an audio with 3-D animation presentation of contemporary electronic spacemusic? The secondary research questions were: Are affective or cognitive responses different for males and females toward contemporary electronic spacemusic? Does musical experience influence (a) cognitive score or (b) responses to affective questions regarding liking and purchasing decisions of contemporary electronic spacemusic?; A two-group post-test only experimental design was employed in which non-music major university students (N = 63) were randomly assigned to either a group that only heard the music or a group that hear the music while simultaneously viewing the 3-D animations. All subjects completed an affective response measure, a cognitive response measure, and an exit questionnaire for the study. Responses of the two groups were compared.; Some of the findings were: (1) No significant differences were found between groups on any affective response question except the perception of emotional stability. However, both groups had very deep affective reactions toward the music. (2) No significant differences were found between groups on cognitive response scores. However, there was a tendency for subjects in the audio with video group to have higher cognitive scores. A significant difference in cognitive scores was found between subjects in the audio with video group who recognized the purpose of the animation and those who did not in a movement. (3) A significant difference was found between males and females on perceived emotional stability of the piece and the perceived intensity. Answers to the remaining affective questions were not significant. Males had higher scores on the cognitive measure than females, which was approaching significance. (4) No statistically significant differences were found on the affective responses or cognitive scores between musically experienced and musically inexperienced subjects.