Perception can be described as the process of minimizing prediction errors between higher-level “prediction units” and lower-level “error units” in the hierarchically organized brain.
The dynamic interplay between predictable structures in music and predictive brain processing is a key determinant of perception and cognition of music. The Perception group tests hypotheses derived from PCM (predictive coding of music hypothesis) by varying the intra-musical features of music (e.g. in rhythm, melody, harmony, form, instrumentation, and acoustics) and the extra-musical factors influencing the brain’s model. In this way, the work in this group bridges the gap between musicology, psychology and neuroscience and lays out the foundation for the work in the other groups.
