Culturally Universal Temporal Dynamics of Statistical Learning in Children's Song Contributes to Phase Entrainment and Production of Novel Information

Abstract

Statistical learning is intimately linked to brain development. For example, statistical learning of language and music starts at an early age and is shown to play a significant role in acquiring the delta-band rhythm that is essential for language and music learning. However, it remains unclear how auditory cultural differences affect the statistical learning process and the resulting probabilistic and acoustic knowledge acquired through it. This study examined how childrens songs are acquired through statistical learning. This study used a Hierarchical Bayesian Statistical Learning (HBSL) model, mimicking the statistical learning processes of the brain. Using this model, we conducted a simulation experiment to visualize the temporal dynamics of perception and production processes through statistical learning among different cultures. The model learns the childrens songs (MIDI files) including English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean songs as the training data. This study investigated how the model transforms the internal model over 15 trials of learning in each song. Furthermore, using the probability distribution of each model over 15 trials of learning each song, new songs were probabilistically generated. The results suggest that, in learning processes, chunking and hierarchical knowledge increased gradually through 15 rounds of statistical learning for each piece of childrens songs. In production processes, statistical learning leads to the gradual increase of delta-band rhythm (1-3 Hz). Furthermore, by combining the acquired chunks and hierarchy through statistical learning, new music can be generated gradually in comparison to the original songs (i.e., the training songs). These findings were observed consistently, irrespective of culture. The present study indicates that the innate statistical learning capacity of the brain, irrespective of cultural background, contributes to the acquisition and generation of delta-band rhythm, which is critical for acquiring language and music. It is suggested that cultural differences may not significantly modulate the statistical learning effects since statistical learning and slower rhythm processing is both essential functions in the human brain across cultures. Furthermore, statistical learning of childrens songs leads to the acquisition of hierarchical knowledge and the ability to generate novel music. This study provides a novel perspective on the developmental origins of creativity and the importance of statistical learning through early development.