Cognitive Effects of Music

Question 1

Mozart Effect study basis

Answer 1

Thought that listening to Mozart could make someone smarter. Tested on college students by playing the music and then asking them to complete paper folding tasks or matrices

Question 2

Mozart effect finding

Answer 2

Found that the ideas were being misrepresented in the media. Found that music does not make you smarter if you listen to it. Arousal is what is actually occurring and causing a change in performance

Question 3

What is near transfer vs far transfer?

Answer 3

When someone is tested on something similar to what their training was or given a task that is not similar

Question 4

Effects of near transfer

Answer 4

Musical processing (tonality, musical grammar), speech processing, motor dexterity

Question 5

Effects of far transfer

Answer 5

Helps with spatial skills and vocabulary skills

Question 6

Gerry et al. study Method

Answer 6

6-Month-olds assigned and studied over a long period of time. Scientists measured preferential looking for tonal vs atonal music

Question 7

Gerry et all findings

Answer 7

Found that there is a preference to tonal music, which is an example of a near transfer effect

Question 8

What benefits are seen in children if they have musical training early on?

Answer 8

They are able to pick out speech and noise better than others

Question 9

What happens in the child’s brain during musical activities?

Answer 9

Broca’s area is activated which helps the child develop better language capabilities

Question 10

What is a long term neural effect of musical training?

Answer 10

The size of the corpus callosum gets larger after 4+ years of musical training

Question 11

How does engaging in musical activity affect spatial skills?

Answer 11

Studies show mixed or negative findings when relating spatial skills to music training

Question 12

How does engaging in musical training affect language skills?

Answer 12

Studies show that musically trained adults are better at vocabulary, memory, and reading

Question 13

What is the cognitive perspective on music?

Answer 13

Music can express, but not induce emotions

Question 14

What are effects can listening to music have on premature infants?

Answer 14

Can make them gain weight , decrease length of hospital stay

Question 15

What effects can listening to music have on elderly people?

Answer 15

Improve mood and help memory after a stroke, cope with pain/confusion

Question 16

What effects does listening to music have on those going into surgery?

Answer 16

It can reduce the amount of anesthetic needed