Music and science may seem to have nothing in common. But that’s only at the first look.
Recent neuroscientific studies show that there are very strong connections between music and science.

Here’s an interview with professor Norman M. Weinberger, Ph.D., who teaches and studies neurobiology and behavior at the University of California at Irvine.
The interview was taken by Nancy K. Dess, Ph.D., who is a professor of psychology at Occidental College and senior scientist at the American Psychological Association in Washington, D. C..

Interview source: Psychology Today

Nancy K. Dess: Is music in our genes?

Norman M. Weinberger: Music exists in every culture, and infants have excellent musical abilities that cannot be explained by learning. Mothers everywhere sing to their infants because babies understand it. Music seems to be part of our biological heritage.

NKD: So our brains evolved to process it?

NMW: Not in the sense that a particular chunk of brain is musical. It’s complex, because music has many elements–rhythm, melody and so on. For example, certain cells in the right hemisphere respond more to melody than to language.

NKD: Music’s complex representation in the brain must make it hard to study.

NMW: It does. One tack is to start with basics. For example, a fundamental aspect of music perception is recognition of a melody in different keys; each note’s meaning depends heavily on its context. In one study, we exposed animals to three simple melodies with the same middle tone. Almost every neuron responded differently to that middle tone in the different contexts. This type of research helps us find out how musical processes with deep evolutionary roots differ from those appearing later in life–culture-specific preferences, for instance.

NKD: Are sound patterns recognized innately, or are they learned?

NMW: Neurons learn to prioritize some sounds. When a tone becomes important–because it signals food, for instance–the cells’ response to that tone increases. This finding revolutionized thinking about brain organization by showing that learning is not a “higher” brain function but rather one that occurs in the sensory systems themselves.

NKD: Does musical experience shape the human brain?

NMW: It seems to. For example, the cortical representation of digits 2 to 5 on the left hand of string players is greater than for the right, suggesting that musical experience does influence the brain.

NKD: Does listening to music similarly shape the brain?

NMW: A few years ago, Shaw and colleagues reported on the “Mozart Effect”–the finding that college students who listen to Mozart for 10 minutes perform better on spatial-temporal tests, like pattern matching. Regrettably, this finding sprouted wings, such as the belief that kids get smarter after 10 minutes of Mozart. Intriguing as the finding is, it seems to have no practical implications because the effect lasts only a few minutes.

NKD: So, does listening to music have any long-term effect on the brain?

NMW: Yes, but only with time and practice. Evidence suggests that long-term musical involvement reaps cognitive rewards–in language skills, reasoning and creativity–and boosts social adjustment. Music exercises the brain. Playing an instrument, for instance, involves vision, hearing, touch, motor planning, emotion, symbol interpretation–all of which activate different brain systems. This may be why some Alzheimer’s patients can perform music long after they have forgotten other things.

NKD: It seems a shame that music instruction has disappeared from many schools.

NMW: It’s a disgrace. Some people claim that music programs are too expensive, but killing music programs deprives children of intellectual, personal and social benefits. I know it sounds corny, but by failing to foster musicality, our society is wasting its potential. Perhaps if more people knew music’s true benefits, it would be restored to more schools.

Perhaps I should start listening to classical music before starting to write (hint hint). Although it’s effects may be only temporary, I believe that by turning this into a habit, the effects of classical music should be greatly enhanced and the effect duration could probably be lengthened.

The effects of music on individuals, animals and plants have been heavily researched in recent years. A  study concerning the effects of classical music versus pop music, reached the following conclusions:

1. The pulse and the systolic blood pressure remained unchanged.
2. The duration to the sound reaction time increased while listening to music (both classical and pop).
3. The reaction time duration to light decreases in an environment with music.
4. Pop and classical music affects the short-term memory in a negative? (opposite) ways. Music with fast rhythms affects short-term memory, decreases the effectiveness of the voluntary actions but it increases the effectiveness of the action in which muscle action is needed.
5. Music increased the rhythmic stroke pace in muscle action but it negatively affected the success just as in the precision of the voluntary action test.
6. Music removed stress from the subjects and made them feel relaxed and tranquil.

17 female students aged 14-16 were the test subjects.

K. M. Weber says that “Melody is the language of human soul”. And he’s completely right. According to Beethoven, music is “a mediator between the physical being and spiritual being of individuals”.

If I managed to raise your interest in classical music, or if you’re tense and want to blow out some steam, here’s a well-known classic from Mozart - Agnus Dei (Requiem In D Minor) - interpreted by the Vienna Boys Choir. Enjoy your audition, and remember - classical music is your friend (although it’s an intriguing and delicate subject). I will write more about this subject in the future, so be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed if you want to be the first to read it.

If you're new here and have found useful information, please subscribe to my RSS feed or sign up for free Email updates. There are daily updates and you should stay tuned. Thanks for visiting!

Previous/Next Articles: « Gambling and morals | The handshake psychology »

Posted in General, Life, Spiritual, Success, Tips, Tips for life