determine whether the processes involved in analysing temporal structures rely on general
cognitive mechanisms or differ as a function of the specific characteristics of the materials
to be processed. We used both the ERP and the MEG methods to analyse the time course
of the effects of temporal structure violations in language and music, and fMRI to localize
the cerebral structures activated by these violations. We hypothesized that if a general
mechanism is responsible for processing the temporal structures in language and music,
qualitatively similar effects should be revealed in the ERP and MEG recordings, and
similar brain areas should be shown to be activated by temporal violations. By contrast, if286 Figure 18.8Overlapped are the ERPs to congruous notes and to the rhythmic incongruities ending familiar and
unfamiliar musical phrases for musicians and nonmusicians. Recordings are from the parietal electrode (Pz).
Large emitted potentials are elicited when the final note should have been presented (vertical bar) but was delayed
by 600 ms. The arrowpoints to the moment in time when the final note was presented. (Adapted from Ref. 69.)
MusiciansFamiliarUnfamiliar0 400 800 0 400Congruous note
Rhythmic change800Nonmusiciansms- 5 μV