Have you ever wondered why some people sing off key?
In the Auditory Perception and Action Lab (APAL), led by Drs. Pfordresher and Pruitt, we explore how people sing, speak, and perform music on an instrument. We are interested in why some individuals can learn and perform these tasks better than others and how we all use perceptual feedback from our actions to guide what we do. We are currently running several studies that address how people control vocal pitch when they sing and when they speak.
Students completing a project will gain competence in conducting behavioral research with individual participants, appropriate use and maintenance of equipment used for data collection, and analysis of real-time data from motor performance. These competencies will be exhibited at an end-of-semester presentation to lab members, developed with the support of the lab directors (Dr. Pfordresher and Dr. Pruitt). In addition, students will participate in weekly meetings during which they will learn to critical read and critique primary source journal articles.
Length of commitment | Prefer academic year commitment, but can consider interest for one semester |
Start time | Fall (August/September) Spring (January/February) |
In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-person |
Level of collaboration | Small group project (2-3 students) |
Benefits | Academic Credit |
Who is eligible | Sophomores and Seniors who have completed psychological statistics (or equivalent), and research methods in psychology (or equivalent). Ability to read music preferred. |
Peter Pfordresher
Professor
Psychology
Phone: (716) 645-0234
Email: pqp@buffalo.edu
Tim Pruitt
Clinical Assistant Professor
Psychology
Phone: (716) 645-0200
Email: tapruitt@buffalo.edu
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
Psychology