It has long been assumed that rhythm cognition builds on perceptual categories tied to prototypes defined by small-integer ratios, such as 1:1 and 2:1. This study aims to evaluate the relative contributions of both generic constraints and selected cultural particularities in shaping rhythmic prototypes. We experimentally tested musicians’ synchronization (finger tapping) with simple periodic rhythms at two different tempi with participants in Mali, Bulgaria, and Germany. We found support both for the classic assumption that 1:1 and 2:1 prototypes are widespread across cultures and for culture-dependent prototypes characterized by more complex ratios such as 3:2 and 4:3. Our findings suggest that music-cultural environments specify links between music performance patterns and perceptual prototypes.

中文翻译：

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跨文化的节奏原型

长期以来，人们一直认为节奏认知是建立在与小整数比例（如1：1和2：1）所定义的原型相关的感知类别上的。这项研究旨在评估在塑造节奏原型时通用约束和特定文化特殊性的相对贡献。我们在两个不同的节奏下，以马里，保加利亚和德国的参与者，通过简单的周期性节奏对音乐家的同步性（手指敲击）进行了实验性测试。我们发现既支持1：1和2：1原型在整个文化中广泛传播的经典假设，也支持具有更复杂比率（例如3：2和4：3）的依赖于文化的原型。我们的发现表明，音乐文化环境指定了音乐演奏模式和感知原型之间的联系。