We explored the extent to which working memory
underpins the processing of relational information
in melodies. Using a between subjects design, one
group of participants was primed with a melodic
stream while performing a concurrent 2-back task
while the other group was also primed with the
melodic stream but did not perform a concurrent
task. Participants were then given a melodic
relational categorization task where relations
(melodic contour and intervals) could either match
or not match the primed melody. Reaction times on
the categorization task for primed melodies tended
to be faster than for non-primed melodies in the notask
condition, suggesting that relational
information in melodies could influence behavior
more under conditions where working memory
resources were not being used in concomitant
tasks. Given the marginal results, more data should
be collected to ascertain the full extent to which
working memory is involved in the processing of
relational melodic content.