Psychology of Classical Music
Mood, Intelligence, Learning, Epilepsy and the Mozart Effect
Research indicates that classical music can be beneficial for anxiety reduction, enhancement of linguistic and spatial abilities, and reduction of epilepsy symptoms.
Classical music has been found to reduce tension and enhance specific types of intelligence such as verbal ability and spatial-temporal reasoning, though it does not increase general intelligence. Interestingly, Mozart’s music has also shown some benefits for those who suffer from epilepsy.
Classical Music and Mood
Studies suggest that listening to classical music decreases tension, even in those for whom classical music is not their preferred genre. However, listening to classical music does not necessarily affect other feelings. The ability of music to influence feelings appears to vary depending on musical preference.
Classical Music and Linguistic Abilities
A number of research studies have supported the fact that classical music can have a positive effect on linguistic abilities. One study found that those who listened to Vivaldi while exercising had increased scores on verbal fluency tests after their workouts compared to those who exercised without music.
In another study in Hong Kong of 90 boys between the ages of 6 and 15, those who learned to play music with their school’s string orchestra program scored higher on tests of verbal memory than a control group that did not receive musical training. The boys in the music group were also able to learn more new words than those in the control group.
The Mozart Effect
The Mozart effect has been the subject of much research in recent years, after it was found that listening to Mozart’s music may increase specific types of intelligence, particularly spatial-temporal abilities.
After at least 10 minutes of exposure to Mozart music, spatial abilities do increase temporarily (for about 15 minutes). However, children who were given keyboarding lessons, taught musical notation and other music-related skills, and learned to play simple melodies by Mozart and Beethoven achieved scores that were approximately 30% higher on tests of spatial-temporal reasoning than children of the same age who did not receive musical training, and these effects did not diminish over time. Thus, it appears that greater gains can be achieved by not only listening to music but also learning about it and creating it.
The Mozart effect also occurs with other music that is similar to Mozart’s, and animals are also subject to the effect. Mice and rats solve mazes faster after exposure to Mozart’s music. This indicates that it is more than simple enjoyment of the music that enhances certain types of intelligence.
Mozart’s Music and Epilepsy
Mozart’s music has a beneficial effect on those suffering from epilepsy. A study of epileptics found that listening to Mozart’s music, even when unconscious, decreased epileptiform brain activity in the majority of subjects. A case study of one girl found that her seizures decreased significantly after listening to Mozart for just 10 minutes of each waking hour.
Other Types of Music
Although classical music has been the focus of the majority of research into music’s effects on intelligence and learning, research indicates that listening to any type of music that is personally enjoyable may potentially enhance certain cognitive abilities.
Further Information
For more information on music psychology, please see:
References:
- American Psychological Association. (19 August 2004). “New research provides the first solid evidence that the study of music promotes intellectual development.” ScienceDaily.com.
- Jenkins, J.S. (2001). “The Mozart effect.” Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 94(4), 170-172.
- The Schiller Institute. (17 February 1998). "Towards a new renaissance in classical education."
- ScienceDaily.com. (24 March 2004). “A little music with exercise boosts brain power, study suggests.”
- ScienceDaily.com. (29 July 2003). “Music instruction aids verbal memory.”
- ScienceDaily.Com. (22 June 2006). “Music thought to enhance intelligence, mental health and immune system.”
