Apparent Time Passage and Music Preference by Music and Nonmusic Majors

Abstract

This article describes an investigation of the relationship between apparent time passage and music preference by music and nonmusic majors. Data were gathered from 80 university students. Subjects indicated an apparent time passage and a music preference response for each of eight instrumental popular music selections. Statistical analyses revealed (a) no significant correlation between apparent time passage and music preference measures, (b) no significant difference between the apparent time judgments or preference ratings by music and nonmusic majors, and (c) no significant interaction between level of training and time passage or music preference measures. Significant differences among music selections in apparent time passage and music preference measures ( p < .0001) were found for both music and nonmusic majors. There was no significant interaction between music selections and level of training. The homogeneous preference ratings for popular music by music and nonmusic majors and directions for future research in time perception in music are discussed.